What question did this study set out to answer?

Evaluate the effects of levosimendan on cardiac function in patients with left ventricular dysfunction.

January 1, 1995Journal of Cardiovascular PharmacologyOpen Access

Dose-Range Study of a New Calcium Sensitizer, Levosimendan, in Patients with Left Ventricular Dysfunction

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Why the study?

Does intravenous levosimendan improve hemodynamic parameters in patients with ischemic heart disease and ejection fraction below 40%?

Key Points

Evaluate the effects of levosimendan on cardiac function in patients with left ventricular dysfunction.
Randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover study
24 patients received varying doses of levosimendan on consecutive days
Cardiac output, stroke volume, and filling pressures measured post-infusion.
Cardiac output increased by 0.49-0.88 L/min with doses of 0.25 mg to 4 mg (p < 0.05)
RAP significantly decreased from 5.0 to 3.2 mm Hg after 4 mg (p < 0.05)
Total peripheral resistance decreased by 13% and 21% after 2 mg and 4 mg, respectively.

Structured PICO

Does intravenous levosimendan improve hemodynamic parameters in patients with ischemic heart disease and ejection fraction below 40%?

Population

24 patients with ischemic heart disease and ejection fraction below 40%

Intervention

Levosimendan administered intravenously at doses of 0.25 mg, 0.5 mg, 1 mg, 2 mg, and 4 mg on 2 consecutive study days

Comparator

Placebo (crossover design)

Outcome

Changes in hemodynamic parameters including cardiac output, stroke volume, heart rate, right atrial pressure (RAP), pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP), total peripheral resistance, and pulmonary vascular resistancesurrogate

Intravenous levosimendan at lower doses (0.25 and 0.5 mg) produces favorable hemodynamic effects by increasing stroke volume and cardiac output in patients with ischemic heart disease and reduced ejection fraction.

Discussion

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Implication

Low-dose levosimendan may improve hemodynamics in ischemic LV dysfunction; leaves open effects on clinical outcomes.

Cite This Study

Lilleberg et al. (1995) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a70937e660549caf2c52ec4 https://doi.org/10.1097/00005344-199506261-00009

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Dose-Range Study of a New Calcium Sensitizer, Levosimendan, in Patients with Left Ventricular Dysfunction

Key Points

Structured PICO

Discussion

Implication

Cite This Study

Dose-Range Study of a New Calcium Sensitizer, Levosimendan, in Patients with Left Ventricular Dysfunction

Key Points

Structured PICO

Discussion

Implication

Cite This Study

Also Consider

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