Use of Levosimendan for Treatment of Cardiogenic Shock Associated With Electrical Storm

Letters19 May 2009Use of Levosimendan for Treatment of Cardiogenic Shock Associated With Electrical StormMarco Grazi, MD, Gianfranco Lauri, MD, Corrado Carbucicchio, MD, and Giancarlo Marenzi, MDMarco Grazi, MDFrom Centro Cardiologico Monzino, University of Milan, Milan 20138, Italy.Search for more papers by this author, Gianfranco Lauri, MDFrom Centro Cardiologico Monzino, University of Milan, Milan 20138, Italy.Search for more papers by this author, Corrado Carbucicchio, MDFrom Centro Cardiologico Monzino, University of Milan, Milan 20138, Italy.Search for more papers by this author, and Giancarlo Marenzi, MDFrom Centro Cardiologico Monzino, University of Milan, Milan 20138, Italy.Search for more papers by this authorAuthor, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-150-10-200905190-00024 SectionsAboutFull TextPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail Background: Management of recurrent episodes of ventricular tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation (VT/VF) in patients with implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) is troublesome (1). Vasopressors and inotropic agents are often needed in these patients to maintain blood pressure, but the drugs can induce atrial and ventricular arrhythmias and lead to further myocardial injury and increased mortality (2).Objective: To report 2 cases of recurrent VT/VF, complicated by cardiogenic shock, that resolved after intravenous administration of levosimendan.Case Report: Two men (age 48 and 62 years) with severe idiopathic and ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy (left ventricular ejection fractions of 0.12 and 0.18, respectively) and biventricular ...References1. Carbucicchio C, Santamaria M, Trevisi N, Maccabelli G, Giraldi F, Fassini G, et al. Catheter ablation for the treatment of electrical storm in patients with implantable cardioverter-defibrillators: short- and long-term outcomes in a prospective single-center study. Circulation. 2008;117:462-9. [PMID: 18172038] CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar2. Petersen JW, Felker GM. Inotropes in the management of acute heart failure. Crit Care Med. 2008;36:S106-11. [PMID: 18158469] CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar3. Earl GL, Fitzpatrick JT. Levosimendan: a novel inotropic agent for treatment of acute, decompensated heart failure. Ann Pharmacother. 2005;39:1888-96. [PMID: 16219899] CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar4. Lilleberg J, Ylönen V, Lehtonen L, Toivonen L. The calcium sensitizer levosimendan and cardiac arrhythmias: an analysis of the safety database of heart failure treatment studies. Scand Cardiovasc J. 2004;38:80-4. [PMID: 15204232] CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar Author, Article, and Disclosure InformationAffiliations: From Centro Cardiologico Monzino, University of Milan, Milan 20138, Italy.Disclosures: None disclosed. PreviousarticleNextarticle Advertisement FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Metrics Cited ByPercutaneous Cardiopulmonary Support for Catheter Ablation of Unstable Ventricular Arrhythmias in High-Risk Patients 19 May 2009Volume 150, Issue 10Page: 738-740KeywordsArrhythmiaBlood pressureDrugsHemodynamicsStormsVasopressors ePublished: 19 May 2009 Issue Published: 19 May 2009 CopyrightCopyright © 2009 by American College of Physicians. All Rights Reserved.PDF DownloadLoading ...