Effect of levosimendan on right ventricular systolic and diastolic functions in patients with ischaemic heart failure.
OBJECTIVE
Levosimendan is a novel positive inotropic calcium sensitiser agent used in acute left heart failure. In this study, the effect of levosimendan on the right ventricular systolic and diastolic functions was evaluated by tissue Doppler comparing them with dobutamine in patients with ischaemic heart failure.


METHODS
Patients having an acute decompensated heart failure with ischaemic cardiomyopathy and left ventricular ejection fraction <40% were included in the study. Before and 24-h after treatment, peak systolic (Sa), peak early (Ea), peak late (Aa) diastolic annular velocities and Ea/Aa ratio from tricuspid lateral annulus by tissue Doppler and systolic pulmonary artery pressure (SPAP) were measured.


RESULTS
Sa, Ea and the Ea/Aa ratio were significantly increased in the levosimendan group whereas SPAP was significantly reduced. In the dobutamine group, no significant differences were observed in the Sa, Ea, Aa and Ea/Aa ratio in spite of a significant reduction in SPAP. Decrease in SPAP was greater in the levosimendan group (p=0.002).


CONCLUSIONS
Levosimendan improves right ventricular systolic and diastolic functions.
Duygu
H
H
Department of Cardiology, Ataturk Training and Research Hospital, Izmir, Turkey. hamzakard@yahoo.com
Ozerkan
F
F
Zoghi
M
M
Nalbantgil
S
S
Yildiz
A
A
Akilli
A
A
Akin
M
M
Nazli
C
C
Ergene
O
O
D000368:Aged; D002316:Cardiotonic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004280:Dobutamine / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D006835:Hydrazones / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011724:Pyridazines / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000077464:Simendan; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D016278:Ventricular Function, Right / Q000187:drug effects*
D002316:Cardiotonic Agents; D006835:Hydrazones; D011724:Pyridazines; D000077464:Simendan; D004280:Dobutamine