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Published on: April 26, 2015
The role of Levosimendan in cardiopulmonary resuscitation
Giolanda Varvarousi1, Antonia Stefaniotou1, Dimitrios Varvaroussis1
1National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Medical School, MSc Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation, 75 Mikras Asias Street, 11527 Athens, Greece.
Abstract:
Although initial resuscitation from cardiac arrest (CA) has increased over the past years, long term survival rates remain dismal. Epinephrine is the vasopressor of choice in the treatment of CA. However, its efficacy has been questioned, as it has no apparent benefits for long-term survival or favorable neurologic outcome. Levosimendan is an inodilator with cardioprotective and neuroprotective effects. Several studies suggest that it is associated with increased rates of return of spontaneous circulation as well as improved post-resuscitation myocardial function and neurological outcome. The purpose of this article is to review the properties of Levosimendan during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and also to summarize existing evidence regarding the use of Levosimendan in the treatment of CA.
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