Hemodynamic improvement following levosimendan treatment in patients with acute myocardial infarction and cardiogenic shock*

56 patients with cardiogenic shock secondary to myocardial infarction treated with percutaneous revascularization (intra-aortic balloon pump where appropriate) and conventional inotropic therapy. 25 patients had persisting cardiogenic shock 24 hrs after revascularization.

Levosimendan (rapid bolus of 12 microg/kg for 10 mins, then 0.05-0.2 mug/kg/min for 24 hrs) added to conventional catecholamine therapy (norepinephrine and dobutamine)

Conventional catecholamine therapy alone (before-after comparison in the 25 patients with persisting shock)

Hemodynamic parameters including cardiac index, cardiac power index, systemic vascular resistance, and blood pressuresurrogate