Impact of levosimendan on right ventricular functions by using novel tissue Doppler derived indices in patients with...

Right ventricular (RV) dysfunction complicates advanced left ventricular (LV) heart failure (HF) and contributes to a poor prognosis. Levosimendan is a positive inotropic agent improving cardiac contractility without increasing myocardial oxygen consumption in HF.

To evaluate the effect of levosimendan therapy on RV systolic function, by using derived tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) in patients with ischaemic HF.

The study consisted of 30 patients with HF who were admitted to our hospital due to new onset of decompensated HF, having LV ejection fraction < 40%, with functional status class III-IV, according to the New York Heart Association (NYHA). TDI-derived systolic velocities of tricuspid annulus (isovolumic myocardial acceleration [IVA], peak myocardial velocity during isovolumic contraction [IVV], peak systolic velocity during ejection period [Sa]) and diastolic indices (early [Ea] and late diastolic [Aa] velocities, Ea/Aa, E/Ea ratios and myocardial performance index [Tei index]) were measured. 72 hours after treatment, all measurements were re-evaluated.

Considering TDI-derived systolic indices of the RV, IVA and IVV increased significantly, whereas Tei index decreased, after the therapy. Also, there was a significant decrease in serum levels of B-type natriuretic peptide. No significant change was observed in TDI derived diastolic indices of the RV.

Levosimendan improves RV systolic function as expressed by TDI-derived parameters in patients with acutedecompensated HF.