title: The role of Levosimendan in cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
abstract: Although initial resuscitation from cardiac arrest (CA) has increased over the past years, long term survival rates remain dismal. Epinephrine is the vasopressor of choice in the treatment of CA. However, its efficacy has been questioned, as it has no apparent beneﬁts for long-term survival or favorable neurologic outcome. Levosimendan is an inodilator with cardioprotective and neuroprotective effects. Several studies suggest that it is associated with increased rates of return of spontaneous circulation as well as improved post-resuscitation myocardial function and neurological outcome. The purpose of this article is to review the properties of Levosimendan during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and also to summarize existing evidence regarding the use of Levosimendan in the treatment of CA.
authors: National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Medical School, MSc Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation, 75 Mikras Asias Street, 11527 Athens, Greece.
authors: Giolanda
authors: G
authors: Varvarousi
authors: National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Medical School, MSc Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation, 75 Mikras Asias Street, 11527 Athens, Greece.
authors: Antonia
authors: A
authors: Stefaniotou
authors: National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Medical School, MSc Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation, 75 Mikras Asias Street, 11527 Athens, Greece.
authors: Dimitrios
authors: D
authors: Varvaroussis
authors: National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Medical School, MSc Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation, 75 Mikras Asias Street, 11527 Athens, Greece.
authors: Filippia
authors: F
authors: Aroni
authors: National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Medical School, MSc Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation, 75 Mikras Asias Street, 11527 Athens, Greece; Hellenic Society of Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation, Athens, Greece. Electronic address: theodorosxanthos@yahoo.com.
authors: Theodoros
authors: T
authors: Xanthos
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D016887:Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation; D002316:Cardiotonic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006323:Heart Arrest / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D006835:Hydrazones / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011724:Pyridazines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000077464:Simendan; D014662:Vasoconstrictor Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D002316:Cardiotonic Agents; D006835:Hydrazones; D011724:Pyridazines; D014662:Vasoconstrictor Agents; D000077464:Simendan
keywords: Cardioprotective; Cardiopulmonary resuscitation; Epinephrine; Levosimendan; Neurological outcome