Levosimendan's effect on venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation weaning

Veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (V-A ECMO) provides temporary haemodynamic support in refractory cardiogenic shock. Recent retrospective studies on levosimendan on V-A ECMO weaning had conflicting results. This study aimed to determine the association between levosimendan on V-A ECMO weaning success in a tertiary centre in Hong Kong.

This retrospective study was conducted in an intensive care unit in Hong Kong. All adult patients requiring V-A ECMO from January 2016 to September 2020 were included. Patients who were given levosimendan were compared to patients who were not, on rates of successful V-A ECMO weaning. The groups were also compared after propensity matching based on covariates closely associated with the use of levosimendan.

A total of 119 patients were included in the study, with 38 in the levosimendan group and 81 in the non-levosimendan group. Patients treated with levosimendan trended towards improved weaning success, but the difference was not statistically significant (63% vs 53%, p = 0.404). In the propensity-matched groups, there was no difference in weaning success (odds ratio 1.00, 95% CI 0.23-8.00). The levosimendan group was associated with lower vasopressor requirement, lower lactate levels, and more significant drop in lactate in the first 2 days of V-A ECMO. The levosimendan group had longer ECMO duration. There was no difference in other secondary outcomes including mortality, length of stay in ICU and hospital and duration of mechanical ventilation. There was no difference in the rate of ventricular arrhythmias.

Levosimendan did not improve V-A ECMO weaning success in our cohort with refractory cardiogenic shock.