title: Levosimendan for ischemic preconditioning in thoracic aortic aneurysm repair.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Postoperative neurologic deficit is the most devastating complication after surgical thoracic aorta repair. Cerebrospinal fluid drainage and some medications are used for spinal cord protection during and after the operation.
  
  
  METHODS
  A 25-year-old patient applied to our clinic with a traumatic descending aortic aneurysm. We performed a surgical repair for the aneurysm but could not achieve to place a lumbar catheter to provide cerebrospinal fluid drainage. Levosimendan was chosen for spinal cord ischemic preconditioning because of its vasodilatory effects.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Postoperative course was uneventful. Hemodynamic and neurologic complication was not observed, and the patient was discharged from the hospital in the postoperative 5th day.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Levosimendan can be used for preconditioning and spinal cord protection from ischemic injury during descending aorta repair. We clearly benefit from the vasodilator peculiarity of the drug for improving spinal cord perfusion.
authors.affiliation: Turkiye Yuksek Ihtisas Hospital, Cardiovascular Surgery Clinic, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Ozgur
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Ersoy
authors.forename: A Baran
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Budak
authors.forename: Ufuk
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Mungan
authors.forename: Ufuk
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Tutun
authors.forename: A Ihsan
authors.initials: AI
authors.lastname: Parlar
authors.forename: Ferit
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Cicekcioglu
authors.forename: A Tulga
authors.initials: AT
authors.lastname: Ulus
authors.forename: S Fehmi
authors.initials: SF
authors.lastname: Katircioglu
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D017545:Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D006835:Hydrazones / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D019194:Ischemic Preconditioning / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D011724:Pyridazines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000077464:Simendan; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000098:blood supply*; D020760:Spinal Cord Ischemia / Q000517:prevention & control; D014665:Vasodilator Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D006835:Hydrazones; D011724:Pyridazines; D014665:Vasodilator Agents; D000077464:Simendan