-transparent.png){kind=logo}
BACKGROUND Levosimendan improves ventricular function, induces vasodilation and induces myocardial preconditioning. We determined the external efficiency and assessed the effects on arrhythmias. METHODS In isolated, blood-perfused rabbit hearts, levosimendan (0.75 micromol) or placebo was administered, while hemodynamics were recorded. After no-flow ischemia and reperfusion, data were recorded again. RESULTS Placebo in normoxic hearts did not affect measurements, while levosimendan increased heart rate (+ 18 %) and improved coronary output (+ 52 %), stroke volume (+ 28 %), maximal left ventricular pressure (+ 30 %), maximal rate of pressure increase (+ 36 %), work (+ 68 %), minimal rate of pressure increase (+ 53 %), coronary blood flow (+ 41 %), coronary resistance (- 19 %) and external efficiency (33 %; P < 0.05). During reperfusion, hemodynamics in the levosimendan group were significantly better preserved compared with the placebo group. Early reperfusion arrhythmias were decreased (levosimendan group: 7 +/- 3 % vs. placebo group: 25 +/- 17 %; P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Levosimendan does not impair diastole, dilates coronary vessels, induces pharmacological preconditioning, improves external efficiency and exerts antiarrhythmic properties during reperfusion. As this drug protects the heart from reperfusion injury, it seems well suited for treating dysfunctional hearts after cardiac surgery.
K Meyer, and
J D Schipke, and
R C Klocke, and
E Gams, and
B Korbmacher
July 1996,
Journal of cardiovascular pharmacology,
K Meyer, and
J D Schipke, and
R C Klocke, and
E Gams, and
B Korbmacher
March 2003,
Cardiovascular drugs and therapy,
K Meyer, and
J D Schipke, and
R C Klocke, and
E Gams, and
B Korbmacher
January 1986,
Annales de medecine interne,
K Meyer, and
J D Schipke, and
R C Klocke, and
E Gams, and
B Korbmacher
May 1988,
Cardiovascular drugs and therapy,
K Meyer, and
J D Schipke, and
R C Klocke, and
E Gams, and
B Korbmacher
May 2007,
Pharmacology & therapeutics,
K Meyer, and
J D Schipke, and
R C Klocke, and
E Gams, and
B Korbmacher
October 1987,
Journal of cardiovascular pharmacology,
K Meyer, and
J D Schipke, and
R C Klocke, and
E Gams, and
B Korbmacher
September 2006,
British journal of anaesthesia,
K Meyer, and
J D Schipke, and
R C Klocke, and
E Gams, and
B Korbmacher
May 2007,
Journal of pharmacological sciences,
K Meyer, and
J D Schipke, and
R C Klocke, and
E Gams, and
B Korbmacher
September 2003,
Critical care medicine,
K Meyer, and
J D Schipke, and
R C Klocke, and
E Gams, and
B Korbmacher
April 2009,
Archivos argentinos de pediatria,
