Abstract
In this randomized, placebo-controlled study, it was found that a 24-hour levosimendan infusion improves echocardiographic markers of abnormal left ventricular diastolic function (transmitral flow patterns and mitral annulus velocities, as assessed by transthoracic pulse-wave Doppler and tissue Doppler imaging, respectively) and reduces substances of excessive neurohormonal activation (plasma B-type natriuretic peptide and interleukin-6) in patients with advanced heart failure. Moreover, levosimendan-treated patients had fewer events and longer progression-free survival during a 5-month follow-up compared with those who received placebo. Thus, levosimendan seems to be effective in improving left ventricular diastolic function and reducing neurohormonal activation in patients with severe heart failure.
Publication types
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Clinical Trial
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Randomized Controlled Trial
MeSH terms
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Aged
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Cardiotonic Agents / administration & dosage
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Cardiotonic Agents / therapeutic use*
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Chi-Square Distribution
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Echocardiography, Doppler
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Female
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Heart Failure / blood*
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Heart Failure / diagnostic imaging
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Heart Failure / drug therapy*
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Humans
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Hydrazones / administration & dosage
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Hydrazones / therapeutic use*
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Infusions, Intravenous
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Interleukin-6 / blood
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Male
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Middle Aged
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Natriuretic Peptide, Brain / blood
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Pyridazines / administration & dosage
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Pyridazines / therapeutic use*
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Simendan
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Statistics, Nonparametric
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Treatment Outcome
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Ventricular Dysfunction, Left / blood*
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Ventricular Dysfunction, Left / diagnostic imaging
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Ventricular Dysfunction, Left / drug therapy*
Substances
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Cardiotonic Agents
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Hydrazones
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Interleukin-6
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Pyridazines
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Natriuretic Peptide, Brain
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Simendan