title: [Levosimendan--an alternative to conventional inotropic treatment of patients with acute heart failure?].
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Holbaek Sygehus, Anaestesiologisk Afdeling, og Odense Universitetshospital. drrasmussen@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Rasmussen
authors.forename: Henrik
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Schmidt
mesh_terms: D002316:Cardiotonic Agents / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006439:Hemodynamics / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D006835:Hydrazones / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010726:Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011724:Pyridazines / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000077464:Simendan
chemical_list: D002316:Cardiotonic Agents; D006835:Hydrazones; D010726:Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors; D011724:Pyridazines; D000077464:Simendan