Levosimendan--an alternative to conventional inotropic treatment of patients with acute heart failure?
Rasmussen, T.; Schmidt, H.
Ugeskrift for Laeger 168(3): 261-265
2006
ISSN/ISBN: 0041-5782 PMID: 16430807 Document Number: 595971
In acute heart failure the myocardial function is acutely reduced and the oxygenation of the tissues becomes inadequate. Traditional inotropic drugs improve the haemodynamics and give symptomatic relief, but the evidence of injurious effects on morbidity and mortality restricts their use. The need for new inotropic drugs which can also reduce morbidity and mortality is for that reason obvious. Levosimendan is such a new drug in a new class (Ca2+ sensitizers) of positive inotropic drugs with favourable effects compared to existing treatment possibilities.