title: The use of levosimendan in children with cancer with severe acute cardiac dysfunction: case series and a review of the literature.
abstract: We report the use of levosimendan in two febrile, neutropenic children with cancer - one post bone marrow transplant - with acute heart failure following chemotherapy. Initial management with epinephrine, milrinone, and diuresis was unsuccessful. Infusion of levosimendan without a loading dose was added to the ongoing heart failure therapy, which resulted in persistent symptomatic and echocardiographic improvement without major side effects.
authors: 1 Division of Critical Care Medicine, The Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
authors: Alvise
authors: A
authors: Tosoni
authors: 2 Labatt Family Heart Centre, The Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
authors: Anne I
authors: AI
authors: Dipchand
authors: 1 Division of Critical Care Medicine, The Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
authors: Hadi
authors: H
authors: Mohseni-Bod
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects; D002316:Cardiotonic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D006835:Hydrazones / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015470:Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute / Q000188:drug therapy; D009447:Neuroblastoma / Q000188:drug therapy; D011724:Pyridazines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D000077464:Simendan
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D002316:Cardiotonic Agents; D006835:Hydrazones; D011724:Pyridazines; D000077464:Simendan