title: Resuscitation from adrenaline resistant electro-mechanical dissociation facilitated by levosimendan in a young man with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy.
abstract: A 32-year-old man with severe congestive heart failure due to idiopathic cardiomyopathy developed ventricular tachycardia followed by electro-mechanical dissociation. High doses of conventional inotropic medications failed to restore haemodynamics. The additional infusion of levosimendan in conjunction with external chest compressions for 2.5 h restored haemodynamics, followed by complete recovery, including normal neurological function. The anti-stunning properties of levosimendan probably attenuated post-ischaemic myocardial dysfunction and helped to restore normal cardiac output.
authors.affiliation: University of Athens School of Medicine, Department of Clinical Therapeutics, Alexandra Hospital, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Eleftheria P
authors.initials: EP
authors.lastname: Tsagalou
authors.forename: John N
authors.initials: JN
authors.lastname: Nanas
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002311:Cardiomyopathy, Dilated / Q000150:complications*; D016887:Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation; D002316:Cardiotonic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004837:Epinephrine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006323:Heart Arrest / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D006835:Hydrazones / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D011724:Pyridazines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000077464:Simendan
chemical_list: D002316:Cardiotonic Agents; D006835:Hydrazones; D011724:Pyridazines; D000077464:Simendan; D004837:Epinephrine