Abstract
We present our preliminary clinical experience with the initial and repetitive administration of the novel inotropic agent levosimendan in a cohort of 20 patients with end-stage heart failure who were acutely decompensated or whose symptoms were refractory to the usual pharmacological treatments thus necessitating hospitalization. Repetitive levosimendan infusions were administered to 9 patients (minimum 2, maximum 8 pulses). The effects of this therapy on the symptomatic status, vital signs, hemodynamic performance and clinical outcomes are discussed.
MeSH terms
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Adolescent
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Adult
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Aged
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Biomarkers / blood
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Blood Pressure / drug effects
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Calcium Channels, L-Type / administration & dosage*
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Cardiac Output, Low / drug therapy
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Cardiac Output, Low / mortality
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Cardiac Output, Low / physiopathology
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Cardiotonic Agents / administration & dosage*
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Cardiotonic Agents / therapeutic use
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Diastole / drug effects
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Dobutamine / therapeutic use
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Dopamine / therapeutic use
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Drug Therapy, Combination
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Echocardiography
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Electrocardiography
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Female
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Follow-Up Studies
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Greece
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Heart Failure / drug therapy*
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Heart Failure / mortality
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Heart Failure / physiopathology
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Heart Ventricles / diagnostic imaging
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Heart Ventricles / physiopathology
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Hematocrit
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Hemoglobins / drug effects
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Hemoglobins / metabolism
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Humans
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Hydrazones / administration & dosage*
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Infusions, Intravenous
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Male
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Middle Aged
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Myocardial Contraction / drug effects
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Potassium / blood
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Pyridazines / administration & dosage*
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Severity of Illness Index
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Simendan
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Stimulation, Chemical
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Survival Analysis
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Systole / drug effects
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Treatment Outcome
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Ventricular Dysfunction, Left / drug therapy
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Ventricular Dysfunction, Left / mortality
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Ventricular Dysfunction, Left / physiopathology
Substances
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Biomarkers
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Calcium Channels, L-Type
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Cardiotonic Agents
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Hemoglobins
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Hydrazones
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Pyridazines
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Simendan
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Dobutamine
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Potassium
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Dopamine