Levosimendan, a new inotropic agent in low cardiac output after coronary artery bypass grafting surgery. A case presentation

Daniela Filipescu, M. Luchian, Oana Ghenu, Ioana Răileanu, Magdalena Perşu, Adriana Oprea, Alina Călugăreanu, H. Moldovan, Luminiţa Iliuţa
Secţia ATI Cardiacă, Institutul de Boli Cardiovasculare „Prof.dr.C. Iliescu”, Bucureşti

Abstract

A 55-year-old male suffered cardiac arrest immediately after off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting surgery. After emergent on-pump revision of revascularization, while on traditional pharmacological and mechanical support, he developed acute ischemia of the right leg. This complication prompted us to remove the intraaortic balloon pump. The new calcium sensitizer drug, Levosimendan, which enhances myocardial contractility without increasing myocardial oxygen demand, while simultaneously having vasodilator and cardioprotective effects, was administered as a rescue medication. Six days following surgery, the patient was discharged from the intensive care unit in good clinical condition. Levosimendan offers a promising therapeutic option for the management of low cardiac output after cardiac surgery.

Key-words: inoprotection, ischemia, cardiac surgery, cardio protection, levosimendan

CAZURI CLINICE
Levosimendanul, un nou agent inotrop-pozitiv util în sindromul de debit cardiac scăzut post by-pass aorto-coronarian

Jurnalul Român de Anestezie Terapie intensivă 2006 Vol.13 Nr.2, 127-131