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Preconditioning effects of levosimendan in coronary artery bypass grafting--a pilot study
L Tritapepe1, V De Santis, D Vitale
1Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care, University of Rome La Sapienza, Rome, Italy.
Background:
The calcium sensitizer levosimendan protects against myocardial ischaemia and reperfusion injury in animal models.
Methods:
The present pilot study investigated whether a short infusion before coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) would protect the myocardium and improve postoperative haemodynamics. Twenty-four patients with stable angina undergoing elective CABG surgery were randomized to receive either placebo or levosimendan (24 microg kg(-1)) infused i.v. over a 10 min period just before placing the patient on cardiopulmonary bypass.
Results:
Perioperative haemodynamic variables, concentrations of cardiac troponin I over the 48 h postoperative period, and clinical outcomes were assessed. There were no adverse effects related to levosimendan. Compared with control patients, levosimendan-treated patients had lower postoperative troponin I concentrations (P<0.05) and a higher cardiac index (P<0.05).
Conclusion:
Patients receiving a short infusion of levosimendan before CABG showed evidence of less myocardial damage, suggestive of a preconditioning effect. Larger outcome studies are thus indicated to confirm benefit.
