Levosimendan and Myocardial Protection

Levosimendan Pre-Treatment in Patients Undergoing Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery: a Double-Blind, Single Center, Prospective, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial

The aim of this study is to investigate whether pharmacological pre-treatment with levosimendan reduces intensive care unit (ICU) length of stay in patients undergoing elective myocardial revascularization under cardiopulmonary bypass.

Inclusion Criteria:

• age ≥18 years
• intention to perform first-time multi-vessel CABG

Exclusion Criteria:

• unstable angina
• valvular disease
• diabetes mellitus treated with sulphonylurea drugs
• renal failure
• severe hepatic disease
• severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
• a history of prior CABG surgery
• recent myocardial infarction (MI) within the previous month