Levosimendan: a new strategy in the treatment of heart failure

Congestive heart failure is a long standing health issue. Traditionally, heart failure has been treated with a wide array of drugs such as diuretics, digitalis, catecholamine and non catecholamine inotropics, although treatment with these drugs bears adverse effects, such as the generation of arrhyt...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Archivos de cardiología de México 2005-07, Vol.75 Suppl 3, p.S3-130-9
Main Authors: González-Chon, Octavio, García López, Sandra María del Carmen, Chacón Mercado, Marco Alejandro, Arias Sánchez, Eduardo Agustín, Vega Zapata, Reyna Estela
Format: Article
Language:Spanish
Subjects:
Heart Failure - drug therapy
Hemodynamics - drug effects
Humans
Hydrazones - therapeutic use
Pyridazines - therapeutic use
Vasodilator Agents - therapeutic use
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Summary:Congestive heart failure is a long standing health issue. Traditionally, heart failure has been treated with a wide array of drugs such as diuretics, digitalis, catecholamine and non catecholamine inotropics, although treatment with these drugs bears adverse effects, such as the generation of arrhythmia and even death. A new class of drugs has recently exerted a positive impact on the treatment of patients with heart failure; these are the calcium sensitizers that enhance myocardial contractility without increasing cytosolic calcium. Levosimendan is a calcium sensitizer that, besides increasing contractility, has a vasodilating effect due to the activation of K(ATP) channels, being both mechanisms responsible for an advantageous therapeutic option. Different studies have proven the efficiency and safety profile of the drug on various scenarios and populations; thereby considering levosimendan a real and safe alternative treatment for patients with acute or chronic ventricular failure that need intravenous pharmacological support.
ISSN:1405-9940