0000000000441633
AUTHOR
Ewa Straburzyńska-migaj
Levosimendan in the treatment of patients with acute cardiac conditions: an expert opinion of the Association of Intensive Cardiac Care of the Polish Cardiac Society
Levosimendan is a new inodilator which involves 3 main mechanisms: increases the calcium sensitivity of cardiomyocytes, acts as a vasodilator due to the opening of potassium channels, and has a cardioprotective effect. Levosimendan is mainly used in the treatment of acute decompensated heart failure (class IIb recommendation according to the European Society of Cardiology guidelines). However, numerous clinical trials indicate the validity of repeated infusions of levosimendan in patients with stable heart failure as a bridge therapy to heart transplantation, and in patients with accompanying right ventricular heart failure and pulmonary hypertension. Due to the complex mechanism of action,…
Repetitive use of LEvosimendan in Ambulatory Heart Failure patients (LEIA-HF) - The rationale and study design
Abstract Purpose Clinical practice forces the necessity to conduct a clinical trial concerning the group of outpatients with chronically advanced heart failure in III or IV NYHA functional class, frequently requiring hospitalizations due to HF exacerbation, and often left without any additional therapeutic option. The current trial aims to determine the efficacy and safety of repeated levosimendan infusions in the group of severe outpatients with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). Material and methods LEIA-HF (LEvosimendan In Ambulatory Heart Failure Patients) is a multicentre, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 4 clinical trial to determine whether the repetitive use of le…