Preoperative Infusion of Levosimendan in Patients Undergoing Cardiac Surgery

Preoperative Infusion of Levosimendan in High Risk Cardiac Surgery Patients: A Retrospective Study

The aim of this retrospective study will be to investigate the effect of the preoperative administration of levosimendan on the outcome of patients with compromised cardiac function undergoing cardiac surgery

Patients with severely reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) face a high risk of morbidity and mortality after cardiac surgery. Impaired cardiac function preoperatively predisposes patients to low cardiac output syndrome. Levosimendan acts by a different mechanism than traditional inotropes and its preoperative use could improve the outcome of patients with cardiac failure. Specifically, it promotes vasodilation of coronary, pulmonary and systemic vessels, has an anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant effect and enhances cardiac contractility by improving the response of the myofilaments to intracellular calcium.

The aim of this retrospective study will be to investigate the effect of the preoperative administration of levosimendan on the outcome of patients with compromised cardiac function undergoing cardiac surgery.

Inclusion Criteria:

• elective cardiac surgery
• cardiac surgery under cardiopulmonary bypass
• low ejection fraction (<40%)

Exclusion Criteria:

• age <18 years old
• urgent operation
• glomerular filtration rate<30 ml/min
• hepatic dysfunction preoperatively
• side effects (hypotension, tachycardia, ST segment abnormalities during levosimendan administration
• redo surgery