This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Personal Folders Download to citation manager Author home page(s): Yoshiyuki Tokuda Peter W. Grant Hugh D. Wolfenden Con Manganas John S.K. Murala Permission Requests Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Tokuda, Y. Articles by Murala, J. S.K. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Tokuda, Y. Articles by Murala, J. S.K. Related Collections Cardiac - pharmacology Related Articles

Levosimendan for patients with impaired left ventricular function undergoing cardiac surgery

Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Prince of Wales Hospital, Barker Street, Randwick, New South Wales, 2031, Australia

*Corresponding author. Tel.: +61-2-9382-0490; fax: +61-2-93820493.

E-mail address: tokuda{at}mxb.mesh.ne.jp (Y. Tokuda).

The efficacy of levosimendan treatment for a low cardiac output status following cardiac surgery has not been established. Here, we review our initial experiences of the perioperative use of levosimendan. This study is a retrospective uncontrolled trial. Nine patients who underwent cardiac surgery, and developed a low cardiac output status resistant to conventional inotropic support, were given levosimendan. The mean preoperative ejection fraction was 35.2±3.4%. All patients were on concomitant inotropic agents and had previously undergone intra-aortic balloon pumping. Cardiac index increased immediately from 2.14±0.33 l/min/m² at baseline to 2.41±0.31 (P=0.02) at 1 h, rising to 2.67±0.43 (P<0.001) at 4 h after the loading dose was started. Similarly, the systemic vascular resistance index decreased from 2350±525 dynes/s/cm^–5/m² at baseline to 1774±360 (P=0.002) at 4 h. In the case of all but one of the patients, either the dose of the concomitant inotropic support or the balloon pumping could be weaned down within 24 h after completion of the levosimendan infusion. No withdrawal of levosimendan was required. Levosimendan could constitute a new therapeutic option for postoperative low cardiac output.

Key Words: Levosimendan; Postoperative care; Impaired ventricular function

Related Articles

ICVTS on-line discussion A

Mohamed Fahmy Ibrahim
Interactive CardioVascular and Thoracic Surgery 2006 5: 326. [Full Text] [PDF]

This article has been cited by other articles:

				T. Vanek, M. Kolesar, M. Nejedly, and R. Jirmar Rescue peri-operative management of the patient with giant electrical storm and severe left ventricular dysfunction: support by levosimendan and intraaortic balloon counterpulsation Interactive CardioVascular and Thoracic Surgery, August 1, 2008; 7(4): 648 - 650. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. Fahmy Ibrahim ICVTS on-line discussion A Interactive CardioVascular and Thoracic Surgery, June 1, 2006; 5(3): 326 - 326. [Full Text] [PDF]

				A. Wahba ICVTS on-line discussion B Interactive CardioVascular and Thoracic Surgery, June 1, 2006; 5(3): 326 - 326. [Full Text] [PDF]