Intermittent levosimendan infusions improved LVEF and decreased hospitalizations at 12 months compared to controls, with 7 treated patients showing an LVEF improvement of more than 20%.
Cohort (n=50)
Do intermittent levosimendan infusions improve LVEF and reduce hospitalizations in patients with advanced heart failure?
Intermittent levosimendan infusions may improve left ventricular ejection fraction and reduce heart failure hospitalizations in patients with advanced heart failure.
Objective To analyse the effects of levosimendan infusions in advanced heart failure. Methods Patients with advanced heart failure treated with repeated levosimendan infusions were retrospectively compared with controls. Clinical, blood and echocardiographic parameters were obtained at baseline and after 12 months, and before and after each levosimendan infusion. Hospitalizations for heart failure and in-hospital length of stay in the 6 months before enrolment and after 6 and 12 months were recorded, along with 1-year mortality. Results Twenty-five patients treated with levosimendan and 25 controls were studied. After each levosimendan infusion, ventricular function and various clinical and metabolic parameters were improved. After 12 months, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) had improved compared with baseline in the levosimendan group. The 1-year mortality rate was similar in both groups. During the 6 months before enrolment, hospitalizations were fewer in controls compared with the levosimendan group; after 6 and 12 months they increased in controls and decreased in the levosimendan group. Seven patients were super-responders to levosimendan, with LVEF improving more than 20% and hospitalizations being reduced at 12 months compared with the rest of the levosimendan group. Conclusion Intermittent levosimendan improved LVEF and decreased hospitalizations in advanced heart failure and represents a therapeutic option for patients whose disease is worsening.
Ortis et al. (2017) conducted a cohort in advanced heart failure (n=50). Intermittent levosimendan infusions vs. controls was evaluated on LVEF, hospitalizations, and 1-year mortality. Intermittent levosimendan infusions improved LVEF and decreased hospitalizations at 12 months compared to controls, with 7 treated patients showing an LVEF improvement of more than 20%.