Levosimendan as Rescue Therapy for Acute Heart Failure in a Patient with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy

Pediatr Cardiol. 2019 Mar;40(3):668-670. doi: 10.1007/s00246-019-02072-9. Epub 2019 Feb 22.

Abstract

The longer survival of patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy due to advances in clinical care has increased the incidence of Duchenne muscular dystrophy-associated cardiomyopathy, a nearly consistent feature in the third decade of life. A 26-year-old patient with Duchenne muscular dystrophy experienced severe acute heart failure triggered by pneumonia. Levosimendan was effective in improving heart function.

Keywords: Acute heart failure; Duchenne muscular dystrophy; Levosimendan.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Acute Disease
  • Adult
  • Cardiomyopathies / drug therapy*
  • Cardiomyopathies / etiology
  • Cardiotonic Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Heart Failure / drug therapy*
  • Humans
  • Lactic Acid / blood
  • Male
  • Muscular Dystrophy, Duchenne / complications*
  • Natriuretic Peptide, Brain / blood
  • Pneumonia / complications
  • Simendan / therapeutic use*

Substances

  • Cardiotonic Agents
  • Natriuretic Peptide, Brain
  • Lactic Acid
  • Simendan