[Levosimendan: a new strategy in the treatment of heart failure].
Congestive heart failure is a long standing health issue. Traditionally, heart failure has been treated with a wide array of drugs such as diuretics, digitalis, catecholamine and non catecholamine inotropics, although treatment with these drugs bears adverse effects, such as the generation of arrhythmia and even death. A new class of drugs has recently exerted a positive impact on the treatment of patients with heart failure; these are the calcium sensitizers that enhance myocardial contractility without increasing cytosolic calcium. Levosimendan is a calcium sensitizer that, besides increasing contractility, has a vasodilating effect due to the activation of K(ATP) channels, being both mechanisms responsible for an advantageous therapeutic option. Different studies have proven the efficiency and safety profile of the drug on various scenarios and populations; thereby considering levosimendan a real and safe alternative treatment for patients with acute or chronic ventricular failure that need intravenous pharmacological support.
González-Chon
Octavio
O
Jefe de la Unidad Coronaria, Fundación Clínica Médica Sur. Tlalpan 41050, México, DF. ogchon@medicasur.org.mx
García López
Sandra María del Carmen
SM
Chacón Mercado
Marco Alejandro
MA
Arias Sánchez
Eduardo Agustín
EA
Vega Zapata
Reyna Estela
RE
D006333:Heart Failure / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006439:Hemodynamics / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D006835:Hydrazones / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011724:Pyridazines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000077464:Simendan; D014665:Vasodilator Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D006835:Hydrazones; D011724:Pyridazines; D014665:Vasodilator Agents; D000077464:Simendan