Hemodynamic Support After Cardiac Surgery: Levosimendan Strikes Out Again

Another large, randomized study shows no benefits with this calcium sensitizer.

Low cardiac output syndrome, a significant complication after cardiac surgery, is often treated with vasoactive medications or mechanical support. A meta-analysis of randomized trials found lower mortality with perioperative use of levosimendan, a non–FDA-approved calcium sensitizer, although recently no benefits were found for routine preoperative levosimendan in patients with left ventricular systolic dysfunction undergoing cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass (LEVO-CTS; NEJM JW Cardiol May 2017 and N Engl J Med 2017 Mar 19; [e-pub]). The current study (CHEETAH; NCT00994825) assessed the impact of levosimendan in 506 patients who developed an indication for hemodynamic support after cardiac surgery (median age, 66; women, 35%).

Peri…

Reviewing Author

Frederick A. Masoudi, MD, MSPH, FACC, FAHA

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardBristol Myers Squibb; CPC Clinical Research

Grant/Research SupportNational Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute

Editorial BoardsUpToDate; American College of Cardiology Self-Assessment Program (SAP)

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesAmerican College of Cardiology (Chair, Innovations Committee)