Hemodynamic Effects of Levosimendan in Outpatients With Advanced Heart Failure: An Echocardiographic Pilot Study

Infusions of levosimendan delivered in ambulatory/outpatient settings have been shown to improve quality of life and reduce hospitalizations in patients with advanced heart failure (HF). The aim of this pilot study was to evaluate the effects of ambulatory infusion of levosimendan on echocardiographic markers of perfusion, congestion, and cardiovascular efficiency. Thirty patients with diagnosed advanced HF underwent ambulatorial infusion of levosimendan at a total dose of 6.25 mg as a part of a repetitive biweekly treatment strategy with the inotrope. Standardized transthoracic echocardiography and Doppler examinations, were performed 1 hour before and 48 hours after completion of ambulatory infusion. At 48 hours after ambulatory infusion of levosimendan, a significant increase in the stroke volume (37.47 +/- 12.38 mL/beat vs. 45.47 +/- 14.48 mL/beat; P < 0.05) and cardiac output (2.64 +/- 0.66 L/min vs. 3.26 +/- 0.57 L/min; P < 0.05) occurred Significant postreductions versus prereductions were also recorded in left atrial pressure (27.37 +/- 6.62 mm Hg vs. 22.82 +/- 4.17 mm Hg; P < 0.01), mean pulmonary artery pressure (27.69 +/- 4.64 mm Hg vs. 23.24 +/- 5.32; P < 0.01), and inferior vena cava diameter (23.81 +/- 7.63 mm vs. 18.53 +/- 4.82 mm; P < 0.01) Significant improvements were noted in the resting cardiac power output (0.46 +/- 0.15 watt vs. 0.53 +/- 0.22 watt; P < 0.01) and the resting cardiac power index (0.24 +/- 0.08 watt/m(2) vs. 0.28 +/- 0.11 watt/m(2); P < 0.01). In outpatients with advanced HF, infusion of levosimendan was associated with hemodynamic responses that may contribute to the clinical benefit previously reported in such patients.