Levosimendan as rescue therapy in severe cardiogenic shock after ST-elevation myocardial infarction

Data on the use of levosimendan in patients with myocardial infarction related cardiogenic shock already under combined catecholamine treatment and intra-aortic balloon counterpulsation (IABP) are scarce. Seven consecutive patients with refractory cardiogenic shock after ST-elevation myocardial infarction, multi-organ dysfunction syndrome and under maximal intensive care (combined catecholamine treatment, IABP) were treated with levosimendan (bolus 12 microg/kg i.v., thereafter 0.1 microg/kg over 24 h). Hemodynamic effects were registered invasively and monitored over 72h post infusion. Therapy with levosimendan significantly reduced required epinephrine dose after 48h (P=0.02 versus baseline). Norepinephrine dose had to be increased during the first 12 h of levosimendan (+25%; P=ns), but was significantly reduced at 72 h compared to baseline (median 0.14 versus 0.06 microg/kg/min after 72 h; P<0.05). Cardiac power output increased (baseline 0.6 versus 1.1 > or = 48 h after infusion; P<0.01) and systemic vascular resistance decreased (median 1294 dyn*s*cm-5 at baseline versus 858 dyn*s*cm-5 at 24 h; P<0.05) after levosimendan infusion. IABP therapy could be weaned in all patients during 5 days after infusion and all patients survived the cardiogenic shock (ICU mortality 29%). Levosimendan as an adjunctive, rescue therapy in patients with severe cardiogenic shock may be safe with beneficial effects on hemodynamics over 72 h.