title: Acute effects of levosimendan on mitral regurgitation and diastolic function in patients with advanced chronic heart failure.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  We analyzed the inodilator properties of levosimendan in patients with chronic heart failure and severe functional mitral regurgitation.
  
  
  METHODS
  We studied 20 patients under optimal treatment and in stable clinical condition (New York Heart Association 3.19 + or - 0.66; 70 + or - 7 years). Levosimendan was infused as a bolus (12 microg/kg in 10 min) followed by a 24-h infusion (0.1-0.2 microg/kg per min). Before and after infusion, Doppler echocardiography, brain natriuretic peptide determination and noninvasive hemodynamic monitoring with bioimpedance cardiography were performed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Levosimendan improved left ventricular ejection fraction (ejection fraction 31 + or - 4 from 27 + or - 4, P < 0.05), decreased brain natriuretic peptide (333 + or - 139 from 629 + or - 63 pg/ml, P < 0.01), reduced mitral valve effective regurgitant orifice area to 27 + or - 5 from 36 + or - 7 mm (P < 0.01) and the velocity of displacement of mitral annulus [ratio between E and E' waves on Doppler and tissue Doppler (E/E') from 22.7 + or - 1.6 to 13.1 + or - 0.6, P < 0.01]. Noninvasive hemodynamic monitoring showed increased acceleration index (a marker of inotropism), and reduced peripheral resistances and thoracic fluid content (P < 0.01). After 4 weeks of washout, some of these effects were still evident.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In patients with chronic heart failure and functional mitral regurgitation, levosimendan acutely improved systolic and diastolic function, reduced mitral regurgitation and modulated neurohormonal activation, with a tendency for these changes to persist over a short-term follow-up.
authors.affiliation: Divisione di Cardiologia, Ospedale San Luca, Istituto Auxologico Italiano IRCCS, Italy. branzi@auxologico.it
authors.forename: Giovanna
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Branzi
authors.forename: Gabriella
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Malfatto
authors.forename: Alessandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Villani
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ciambellotti
authors.forename: Miriam
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Revera
authors.forename: Alessia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Giglio
authors.forename: Francesco Della
authors.initials: FD
authors.lastname: Rosa
authors.forename: Mario
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Facchini
authors.forename: Gianfranco
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Parati
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D002307:Cardiography, Impedance; D002316:Cardiotonic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003971:Diastole; D015150:Echocardiography, Doppler; D005260:Female; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006439:Hemodynamics / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D006835:Hydrazones / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D007558:Italy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008944:Mitral Valve Insufficiency / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain / Q000097:blood; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011724:Pyridazines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D000077464:Simendan; D013318:Stroke Volume / Q000187:drug effects; D013599:Systole; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014665:Vasodilator Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016277:Ventricular Function, Left / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D002316:Cardiotonic Agents; D006835:Hydrazones; D011724:Pyridazines; D014665:Vasodilator Agents; D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain; D000077464:Simendan