Levosimendan for the treatment of acute heart failure syndromes

Levosimendan is a novel calcium-sensitising agent that has been shown to have beneficial inotropic, metabolic and vasodilatory effects in the treatment of acute and advanced chronic heart failure. Levosimendan binds to troponin-C in cardiomyocytes and, thereby, improves cardiac contractility without disturbing the metabolic status of the heart and increasing myocardial oxygen demand or provoking fatal cardiac arrhythmias. Levosimendan also opens ATP-sensitive potassium channels, causing peripheral arterial and venous dilatation, and increasing coronary flow reserve. When it is given as a short-term therapy, levosimendan enhances cardiac output, reduces systemic vascular resistance and lowers pulmonary capillary wedge pressure. Clinical outcomes were significantly reduced in decompensated or postmyocardial infarction heart failure patients who received levosimendan, compared with those on dobutamine or placebo. Recent investigations focusing on the anti-inflammatory and antiapoptotic actions of levosimendan in the failing heart indicate that improvement of cardiac contractile performance is closely related with the drug-induced reduction of circulating pro-inflammatory cytokines and apoptosis inducers. The most common adverse effects of levosimendan treatment are hypotension and headache. Overall, levosimendan represents an effective and safe option for the treatment of decompensated heart failure patients.