Levosimendan is superior to enoximone in refractory cardiogenic shock complicating acute myocardial infarction*

OBJECTIVE: Cardiogenic shock is the leading cause of death in patients hospitalized for acute myocardial infarction. The objectives were to investigate the effects of levosimendan, a novel inodilator, compared with the phosphodiesterase-III inhibitor enoximone in refractory cardiogenic shock complicating acute myocardial infarction, on top of current therapy. DESIGN: Prospective, randomized, controlled single-center clinical trial. SETTING: Medical and coronary intensive care unit in a university hospital. PATIENTS: Thirty-two patients with refractory cardiogenic shock for at least 2 hrs requiring additional therapy. INTERVENTIONS: Infusion of either levosimendan (12 microg/kg over 10 min, followed by 0.1 microg/kg/min over 50 min, and of 0.2 microg/kg/min for the next 23 hrs) or enoximone (fractional loading dose of 0.5 mg/kg, followed by 2-10 microg/kg/min continuously) after initiation of current therapy, always including revascularization, intra-aortic balloon pump counterpulsation, and inotropes. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Survival rate at 30 days was significantly higher in the levosimendan-treated group (69%, 11 of 16) compared with the enoximone group (37%, 6 of 16, p = 0.023). Invasive hemodynamic parameters during the first 48 hrs were comparable in both groups. Levosimendan induced a trend toward higher cardiac index, cardiac power index, left ventricular stroke work index, and mixed venous oxygen saturation. In addition, lower cumulative values for catecholamines at 72 hrs and for clinical signs of inflammation were seen in the levosimendan-treated patients. Multiple organ failure leading to death occurred exclusively in the enoximone group (4 of 16 patients). CONCLUSIONS: In severe and refractory cardiogenic shock complicating acute myocardial infarction, levosimendan, added to current therapy, may contribute to improved survival compared with enoximone.