Levosimendan for Hemodynamic Support after Cardiac Surgery

When the Renal (Function) Begins to Fall: A Mini-Review of Acute Kidney Injury Related to Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome in Critically Ill Patients

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is one of the most frequent causes of organ failure encountered in patients in the intensive care unit (ICU). Because of its predisposition to occur in the most critically ill patients, it is not surprising to observe a high frequency of AKI in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). However, few studies have been carried out to assess the epidemiology of AKI in subgroups of ARDS patients using recommended KDIGO criteria. Moreover, the mechanisms involved in the physio-pathogenesis of AKI are still poorly understood, in particular the impact of mechanical ventilation on the kidneys. We carried out a review of the literature, focusing on the epidemiology and physiopathology of AKI in patients with ARDS admitted to the ICU. We addressed the importance of clinical management, focusing on mechanical ventilation for improving outcomes, on AKI. Finally, we also propose candidate treatment strategies and management perspectives. Our literature search showed that AKI is particularly common in ICU patients with ARDS. In association with the classic risk factors for AKI, such as comorbidities and iatrogeny, changes in mechanical ventilation parameters, which have been exclusively evaluated for their outcomes on respiratory function and death, must be considered carefully in terms of their impact on the short-term renal prognosis.

Levosimendan Postconditioning Attenuates Cardiomyocyte Apoptosis after Myocardial Infarction

BACKGROUND

Levosimendan preconditioning has been shown to attenuate myocardial apoptosis in animal models. However, protective effects of levosimendan postconditioning against myocardial apoptosis following myocardial infarction (MI) have not been evaluated. Therefore, we investigated the effects of levosimendan postconditioning on myocardial apoptosis in MI rat models.

METHODS

In an anoxia/reoxygenation (A/R) model, H9c2 cells were pretreated with or without levosimendan postconditioning after which their apoptosis rates were assessed by flow cytometry, RT-qPCR, and western blot analyses. Then, postconditioning was performed with or without levosimendan in MI rat models. Myocardiocyte apoptosis was evaluated by echocardiography, TTC staining, TUNEL staining, immunohistochemical staining, RT-qPCR, and western blot analysis.

RESULTS

Levosimendan postconditioning inhibited H9c2 cell apoptosis in A/R models by elevating Bcl-2 while suppressing Caspase-3 and Bax at both mRNA and protein levels. Moreover, it improved cardiac functions and reduced the left ventricle infarction area in MI rat models. Compared to the MI control group, cardiomyocyte apoptosis rates in the levosimendan postconditioning group were low. The reduced cardiomyocyte apoptosis rates were associated with downregulation of Bax and Caspase-3 as well as with upregulation of Bcl-2 at mRNA and protein levels.

CONCLUSIONS

Levosimendan postconditioning of MI rat models protected against cardiomyocyte apoptosis, implying that it is a potential strategy for preventing cardiomyocyte apoptosis in the treatment of cardiac dysfunction following MI.

Levosimendan in intensive care and emergency medicine: literature update and expert recommendations for optimal efficacy and safety

The inodilator levosimendan, in clinical use for over two decades, has been the subject of extensive clinical and experimental evaluation in various clinical settings beyond its principal indication in the management of acutely decompensated chronic heart failure. Critical care and emergency medicine applications for levosimendan have included postoperative settings, septic shock, and cardiogenic shock. As the experience in these areas continues to expand, an international task force of experts from 15 countries (Austria, Belgium, China, Croatia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the USA) reviewed and appraised the latest additions to the database of levosimendan use in critical care, considering all the clinical studies, meta-analyses, and guidelines published from September 2019 to November 2021. Overall, the authors of this opinion paper give levosimendan a "should be considered" recommendation in critical care and emergency medicine settings, with different levels of evidence in postoperative settings, septic shock, weaning from mechanical ventilation, weaning from veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, cardiogenic shock, and Takotsubo syndrome, in all cases when an inodilator is needed to restore acute severely reduced left or right ventricular ejection fraction and overall haemodynamic balance, and also in the presence of renal dysfunction/failure.

CSA-AKI: Incidence, Epidemiology, Clinical Outcomes, and Economic Impact

Cardiac surgery-associated acute kidney injury (CSA-AKI) is a common complication following cardiac surgery and reflects a complex biological combination of patient pathology, perioperative stress, and medical management. Current diagnostic criteria, though increasingly standardized, are predicated on loss of renal function (as measured by functional biomarkers of the kidney). The addition of new diagnostic injury biomarkers to clinical practice has shown promise in identifying patients at risk of renal injury earlier in their course. The accurate and timely identification of a high-risk population may allow for bundled interventions to prevent the development of CSA-AKI, but further validation of these interventions is necessary. Once the diagnosis of CSA-AKI is established, evidence-based treatment is limited to supportive care. The cost of CSA-AKI is difficult to accurately estimate, given the diverse ways in which it impacts patient outcomes, from ICU length of stay to post-hospital rehabilitation to progression to CKD and ESRD. However, with the global rise in cardiac surgery volume, these costs are large and growing.

Prospective Study on the Postoperative Use of Levosimendan After Conventional Heart Valve Replacement

Background

The aim of this study was to explore the effect of levosimendan in patients after heart valve replacement and its influence on postoperative recovery.

Material/Methods

This prospective study included 185 patients with valvular diseases undergoing conventional valve replacement. Patients were divided into 2 groups using a random number table before surgery. Patients in the levosimendan group were administrated levosimendan intravenous infusion immediately after entering the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). The left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), cardiac output, and heart failure-related index, such as B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) level, were recorded at 1, 3, and 7 days after surgery. The dosage and administration time of dopamine and epinephrine, mechanical ventilation time, ICU length of stay, and postoperative adverse events were recorded.

Results

Cardiac output and LVEF of patients in the levosimendan group were significantly higher than those in the control group at different time points (P<0.05), and BNP level was lower than that of the control group (P<0.0001). Dosage and administration time of dopamine and epinephrine in the levosimendan group were lower than those of the control group (P<0.0001, P<0.0001, respectively). ICU length of stay and total incidence of postoperative adverse events were lower than those of the control group (P<0.0001, P=0.002, respectively).

Conclusions

Levosimendan administration immediately after heart valve replacement effectively improved the heart function of patients, reduced administration of vasoactive drugs, shortened length of ICU stay, reduced incidence of postoperative adverse events, and promoted recovery of patients after surgery.

Management of cardiogenic shock

Despite the rapidly evolving evidence base in modern cardiology, progress in the area of cardiogenic shock remains slow, with short-term mortality still reaching 40-50%, relatively unchanged in recent years. Despite advances with an increase in the number of clinical trials taking place in this admittedly difficult-to-study area, the evidence base on which we make day-to-day decisions in clinical practice remains relatively sparse. With only definitive evidence for early revascularisation and the relative ineffectiveness of intra-aortic balloon pumping, most aspects of patient management are based on expert consensus, rather than randomised controlled trials. This updated 2020 review will outline the management of CS mainly after acute myocardial infarction with major focus on state-of-the-art treatment based on randomised clinical trials or matched comparisons if available.

Evidence and Current Use of Levosimendan in the Treatment of Heart Failure: Filling the Gap

Levosimendan is a distinctive inodilator combing calcium sensitization, phosphodiesterase inhibition and vasodilating properties through the opening of adenosine triphosphate-dependent potassium channels. It was first approved in Sweden in 2000 for the short-term treatment of acutely decompensated severe chronic heart failure when conventional therapy is not sufficient, and in cases where inotropic support is considered appropriate. After more than 20 years, clinical applications have considerably expanded across critical care and emergency medicine, and levosimendan is now under investigation in different cardiac settings (eg, septic shock, pulmonary hypertension) and for non-cardiac applications (eg, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis). This narrative review outlines key milestones in levosimendan history, by addressing regulatory issues, pharmacological peculiarities and clinical aspects (efficacy and safety) of a drug that did not receive great attention in the heart failure guidelines. A brief outlook to the ongoing clinical trials is also offered.

Levosimendan in venoarterial ECMO weaning. Rational and design of a randomized double blind multicentre trial

AIMS

Venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) is increasingly being used in circulatory failure. The main indications are cardiogenic shock, post-cardiotomy cardiac failure, and refractory cardiac arrest. However, VA-ECMO weaning is particularly challenging, and weaning failure is reported to be as high as 50%, with increased related mortality. Levosimendan is a novel long acting effect inodilator used in cardiogenic shock and terminal heart failure decompensation. Levosimendan use in VA-ECMO patients seems to reduce weaning failure regardless of the initial aetiology and to reduce mortality when administrated early after VA-ECMO initiation. However, studies are limited to retrospective analyses and reported case series. The aim of the WEANILEVO trial is to evaluate whether administration of levosimendan before VA-ECMO weaning is associated with a reduced rates of weaning failure and recourse to other temporary circulatory support.

METHODS AND RESULTS

WEANILEVO is a randomized, prospective, multicentre, double-blind, parallel-group, controlled trial. One hundred eighty patients will be enrolled if they had acute circulatory heart failure treated with VA-ECMO and for whom weaning is expected within 48 h. The study drugs are either levosimendan (0.2 μg/kg/min for 24 h) or a placebo. The primary endpoint of the trial is the absence of VA-ECMO weaning, recourse to another VA-ECMO, or other temporary circulatory assistance or death within 7 days of VA-ECMO weaning.

CONCLUSIONS

Levosimendan use in VA-ECMO appears to be beneficial for reducing weaning failure and mortality. The results of WEANILEVO should significantly influence decisions regarding the use of levosimendan for VA-ECMO weaning.

Inotropic therapies in heart failure and cardiogenic shock: an educational review

Reduced systolic function is central to the pathophysiology and clinical sequelae of acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) with reduced ejection fraction and cardiogenic shock. These clinical entities are the final common pathway for marked deterioration of right or left ventricular function and can occur in multiple clinical presentations including severe ADHF, myocardial infarction, post-cardiac surgery, severe pulmonary hypertension, and advanced or end-stage chronic heart failure. Inotropic therapies improve ventricular systolic function and may be divided into three classes on the basis of their mechanism of action (calcitropes, mitotropes, and myotropes). Most currently available therapies for cardiogenic shock are calcitropes which can provide critical haemodynamic support, but also may increase myocardial oxygen demand, ischaemia, arrhythmia, and mortality. Emerging therapies to improve cardiac function such as mitotropes (e.g. perhexiline, SGLT2i) or myotropes (e.g. omecamtiv mecarbil) may provide useful alternatives in the future.

[Levosimendan - a 20-Year Experience]

Levosimendan is a calcium sensitizer and opens adenosine triphosphate-dependent potassium channels. Since 20 years, it is approved for acute decompensated heart failure. It has been tested in many clinical trials for treatment of at-risk patients in cardiac surgery, right ventricular failure, pulmonary hypertension, weaning of extracorporeal systems, cardiogenic shock, septic shock, ARDS and others.Levosimendan has diverse positive effects next to positive inotropy. It improves ventriculoarterial coupling, increases peripheral perfusion, increases kidney glomerular filtration rate, coronary blood flow and it reduces preload and afterload as well as pulmonary capillary wedge pressure.Due to the opening of potassium channels, it also acts on mitochondria resulting in organ protection. Levosimendan acts anti-apoptotic. These positive effects were described in many small studies. Although this sounds like a promising drug for a variety of settings, results of several multicentre randomized placebo-controlled studies were frustrating. This review resumes some facts of levosimendan in different diseases.

Effects of levosimendan on renal blood flow and glomerular filtration in patients with acute kidney injury after cardiac surgery: a double blind, randomized placebo-controlled study

BACKGROUND

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a common and serious complication after cardiac surgery, and current strategies aimed at treating AKI have proven ineffective. Levosimendan, an inodilatating agent, has been shown to increase renal blood flow and glomerular filtration rate in uncomplicated postoperative patients and in patients with the cardiorenal syndrome. We hypothesized that levosimendan through its specific effects on renal vasculature, a preferential vasodilating effect on preglomerular resistance vessels, could improve renal function in AKI-patients with who did not have clinical indication for inotropic support.

METHODS

In this single-center, double-blind, randomized controlled study, adult patients with postoperative AKI within 2 days after cardiac surgery, who were hemodynamically stable with a central venous oxygen saturation (ScvO₂) ≥ 60% without inotropic support were eligible for inclusion. After randomization, study drug infusions, levosimendan (n = 16) or placebo (n = 13) were given for 5 h. A bolus infusion of levosimendan (12 µg/kg), were given for 30 min followed by 0.1 µg/kg/min for 5 h. Renal blood flow and glomerular filtration rate were measured using infusion clearance of para-aminohippuric acid and a filtration marker, respectively. As a safety issue, norepinephrine was administered to maintain mean arterial pressure between 70-80 mmHg. Intra-group differences were tested by Mann-Whitney U-tests, and a linear mixed model was used to test time and group interaction.

RESULTS

Twenty-nine patients completed the study. At inclusion, the mean serum creatinine was higher in the patients randomized to levosimendan (148 ± 29 vs 127 ± 22 µmol/L, p = 0.030), and the estimated GFR was lower (46 ± 12 vs 57 ± 11 ml/min/1.73 m², p = 0.025). Levosimendan induced a significantly (p = 0.011) more pronounced increase in renal blood flow (15%) compared placebo (3%) and a more pronounced decrease in renal vascular resistance (- 18% vs. - 4%, respectively, p = 0.043). There was a trend for a minor increase in glomerular filtration rate with levosimendan (4.5%, p = 0.079), which did differ significantly from the placebo group (p = 0.440). The mean norepinephrine dose was increased by 82% in the levosimedan group and decreased by 29% in the placebo group (p = 0.012).

CONCLUSIONS

In hemodynamically stable patients with AKI after cardiac surgery, levosimendan increases renal blood flow through renal vasodilatation. Trial registration NCT02531724, prospectly registered on 08/20/2015. https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02531724?cond=AKI&cntry=SE&age=1&draw=2&rank=1.

Perioperative Clinical Trials in AKI

To characterize current evidence and current foci of perioperative clinical trials, we systematically reviewed Medline and identified perioperative trials involving 100 or more adult patients undergoing surgery and reporting renal end points that were published in high-impact journals since 2004. We categorized the 101 trials identified based on the nature of the intervention and summarized major trial findings from the five categories most applicable to perioperative management of patients. Trials that targeted ischemia suggested that increasing perioperative renal oxygen delivery with inotropes or blood transfusion does not reliably mitigate acute kidney injury (AKI), although goal-directed therapy with hemodynamic monitors appeared beneficial in some trials. Trials that have targeted inflammation or oxidative stress, including studies of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, steroids, N-acetylcysteine, and sodium bicarbonate, have not shown renal benefits, and high-dose perioperative statin treatment increased AKI in some patient groups in two large trials. Balanced crystalloid intravenous fluids appear safer than saline, and crystalloids appear safer than colloids. Liberal compared with restrictive fluid administration reduced AKI in a recent large trial in open abdominal surgery. Remote ischemic preconditioning, although effective in several smaller trials, failed to reduce AKI in two larger trials. The translation of promising preclinical therapies to patients undergoing surgery remains poor, and most interventions that reduced perioperative AKI compared novel surgical management techniques or existing processes of care rather than novel pharmacologic interventions.

Levosimendan for Treatment of Primary Graft Dysfunction After Heart Transplantation: Optimal Timing of Application

OBJECTIVES

Primary graft dysfunction remains a serious problem after heart transplant. Pharmacological treatment with the calcium sensitizer levosimendan may be an additive treatment for primary graft dysfunction.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Patients undergoing heart transplant between 2010 and 2020 were retrospectively reviewed and divided depending on postoperative treatment with (n = 41) or without (n = 109) levosimendan. Recipients who received levosi mendan were further divided with regard to timing of levosimendan application (early group: started ≤48 hours posttransplant [n = 23]; late group: started >48 hours posttransplant [n = 18]).

RESULTS

Patients who received levosimendan treatment displayed a remarkable incidence (87.8%) of postoperative primary graft dysfunction with need for venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation and therefore often presented with perioperative morbidity. Patient with early application of levosimendan showed significantly decreased duration of venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support (5.1 ± 3.5 days vs 12.6 ± 9.3 days in those with late application; P < .01) and decreased mortality during venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support (0.0% vs 33.3% in early vs late group; P < .01). In addition, compared with patients with late levosimendan application, patients with early application needed fewer blood transfusions (P < .05), had shorter ventilation times (279 ± 235 vs 428 ± 293 h; P = .03), and showed a trend of reduced incidence of postoperative renal failure (69.6% vs 94.4%; P = .06). Moreover, survival analyses indicated an increased survival for patients with early start of levosimendan therapy within the first 48 hours after heart transplant (P = .09).

CONCLUSIONS

Pharmacotherapy with levosimendan may be a promising additive in the treatment of primary graft dysfunction after heart transplant. With administration of levosimendan within the first 48 hours posttransplant, rates of successful weaning from venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation and outcomes after heart transplant were shown to increase.

Outcome of acute kidney injury: how to make a difference?

BACKGROUND

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is one of the most frequent organ failure encountered among intensive care unit patients. In addition to the well-known immediate complications (hydroelectrolytic disorders, hypervolemia, drug overdose), the occurrence of long-term complications and/or chronic comorbidities related to AKI has long been underestimated. The aim of this manuscript is to briefly review the short- and long-term consequences of AKI and discuss strategies likely to improve outcome of AKI.

MAIN BODY

We reviewed the literature, focusing on the consequences of AKI in all its aspects and the management of AKI. We addressed the importance of clinical management for improving outcomes AKI. Finally, we have also proposed candidate future strategies and management perspectives.

CONCLUSION

AKI must be considered as a systemic disease. Due to its short- and long-term impact, measures to prevent AKI and limit the consequences of AKI are expected to improve global outcomes of patients suffering from critical illnesses.

Comprehensive Comparisons among Inotropic Agents on Mortality and Risk of Renal Dysfunction in Patients Who Underwent Cardiac Surgery: A Network Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Several kinds of inotropes have been used in critically ill patients to improve hemodynamics and renal dysfunction after cardiac surgery; however, the treatment strategies for reducing mortality and increasing renal protection in patients who underwent cardiac surgery remain controversial. Therefore, we performed a comprehensive network meta-analysis to overcome the lack of head-to-head comparisons. A systematic database was searched up to 31 December 2020, for randomized controlled trials that compared different inotropes on mortality outcomes and renal protective effects after cardiac surgery. A total of 29 trials were included and a frequentist network meta-analysis was performed. Inconsistency analyses, publication bias, and subgroup analyses were also conducted. Compared with placebo, use of levosimendan significantly decreased the risks of mortality (odds ratio (OR): 0.74; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.56–0.97) and risk of acute renal injury (OR: 0.61; 95% CI: 0.45–0.82), especially in low systolic function patients. Use of levosimendan also ranked the best treatment based on the P-score (90.1%), followed by placebo (64.5%), milrinone (49.6%), dopamine (49.5%), dobutamine (29.1%), and fenoldopam (17.0%). Taking all the available data into consideration, levosimendan was a safe renal-protective choice for the treatment of patients undergoing cardiac surgery, especially for those with low systolic function.

Effect of Preoperative Infusion of Levosimendan on Biomarkers of Myocardial Injury and Haemodynamics After Paediatric Cardiac Surgery: A Randomised Controlled Trial

OBJECTIVE

The aim was to test the hypothesis that preoperative infusion of levosimendan would decrease patients' cardiac biomarker profiles during the immediate postoperative stage (troponin I and B-type natriuretic peptide levels) more efficiently than placebo after cardiopulmonary bypass.

METHODS

In a randomised, placebo-controlled, double-blinded study, 30 paediatric patients were scheduled for congenital heart disease surgery. 15 patients (50%) received prophylactic levosimendan and 15 patients (50%) received placebo from 12 h before cardiopulmonary bypass to 24 h after surgery.

RESULTS

Troponin I levels were higher in the placebo group at 0, 12, and 24 h after cardiopulmonary bypass, although the mean differences between the study groups and the 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for troponin I levels did not present statistically significant differences at any of the three time points considered (mean differences [95% CIs] - 3.32 pg/ml [- 19.34 to 12.70], - 2.42 pg/ml [- 19.78 to 13.95], and - 79.94 pg/ml [- 266.99 to 16.39] at 0, 12, and 24 h, respectively). A similar lack of statistically significant difference was observed for B-type natriuretic peptide (mean differences [95% CIs] 36.86 pg/dl [- 134.16 to 225.64], - 350.79 pg/dl [- 1459.67 to 557.45], and - 310.35 pg/dl [- 1505.76 to 509.82]). Lactic acid levels were significantly lower with levosimendan; the mean differences between the study groups and the 95% CIs for lactate levels present statistically significant differences at 0 h (- 1.52 mmol/l [- 3.19 to - 0.25]) and 12 h (- 1.20 mmol/l [- 2.53 to - 0.10]) after cardiopulmonary bypass. Oxygen delivery (DO2) was significantly higher at 12 h and 24 h after surgery (mean difference [95% CI] 627.70 ml/min/m2 [122.34-1162.67] and 832.35 ml/min/m2 [58.15 to 1651.38], respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

Levosimendan does not significantly improve patients' postoperative troponin I and B-type natriuretic peptide profiles during the immediate postoperative stage in comparison with placebo, although both were numerically higher with placebo. Levosimendan, however, significantly reduced lactic acid levels and improved patients' DO2 profiles. These results highlight the importance of this new drug and its possible benefit with regard to myocardial injury; however, evaluation in larger, adequately powered trials is needed to determine the efficacy of levosimendan. Trial registry number: EudraCT 2012-005310-19.

Acute Kidney Injury in Cardiac Surgery

Acute kidney injury (AKI) occurs frequently after cardiac surgery and is associated with high morbidity and mortality. Although the number of cardiac surgical procedures is constantly growing worldwide, incidence of cardiac surgery-associated AKI is still around 40% and has a significant impact on global health care costs. Numerous trials attempted to identify strategies to prevent AKI and attenuate its detrimental consequences. Effective options remained elusive. Current evidence supports a multimodal risk-stratification approach with biomarker-guided management of high-risk patients, perioperative administration of dexmedetomidine, and implementation of a care bundle as recommended by the Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes group.

Heart failure: role and point of view of cardiac intensivist

Heart failure is an acute or chronic syndrome where the heart is unable to provide adequate amount of oxygen to body tissues. The treatment of heart failure aims to give an immediate answer in terms of regression of volume overload and restoration of hemodynamic stability and then to ensure management of clinical exacerbation, reduction in hospital stay, and increasing of survival. The pharmacological treatment of heart failure includes drugs with different strength of evidence. When the patient is no more responsive to medical therapy a non-pharmacological approach may be required. The first step is cardiac resynchronization therapy and implantable cardiac defibrillator. Then hospitalization and inotropic support may be needed. When cardiac disease reaches the end stage, the severe decrease in multi organ perfusion requires a quick therapeutic response. This is a time dependent scenario, when mechanical circulatory support (MCS) plays a crucial role. MCS may be used as temporary hemodynamic support on situations where myocardial recovery is likely, such as after revascularization and in cases of fulminant acute myocarditis. Conversion to ventricular assist devices or transplantation should be considered if longer duration of MCS is required. Advances in the treatment of cardiogenic shock patients in terms of pharmacological therapies, short term and long term MCS could provide opportunities to improve survival, but they also increase the complexity of clinical care. For this reason a multidisciplinary shock team approach is paramount for early symptom detection, to guide initial haemodynamic therapy and for the right choice of MCS device at the right time.

Addition of levosimendan to overcome acute cardiogenic shock-Paving the way for later heart transplantation-A first case report

Treatment of refractory cardiogenic shock has poor outcome. Levosimendan addition may help to achieve hemodynamic stabilization and improve conditions to where further treatment options such as listing for heart transplantation may become possible.

Current use of inotropes in circulatory shock

BACKGROUND

Treatment decisions on critically ill patients with circulatory shock lack consensus. In an international survey, we aimed to evaluate the indications, current practice, and therapeutic goals of inotrope therapy in the treatment of patients with circulatory shock.

METHODS

From November 2016 to April 2017, an anonymous web-based survey on the use of cardiovascular drugs was accessible to members of the European Society of Intensive Care Medicine (ESICM). A total of 14 questions focused on the profile of respondents, the triggering factors, first-line choice, dosing, timing, targets, additional treatment strategy, and suggested effect of inotropes. In addition, a group of 42 international ESICM experts was asked to formulate recommendations for the use of inotropes based on 11 questions.

RESULTS

A total of 839 physicians from 82 countries responded. Dobutamine was the first-line inotrope in critically ill patients with acute heart failure for 84% of respondents. Two-thirds of respondents (66%) stated to use inotropes when there were persistent clinical signs of hypoperfusion or persistent hyperlactatemia despite a supposed adequate use of fluids and vasopressors, with (44%) or without (22%) the context of low left ventricular ejection fraction. Nearly half (44%) of respondents stated an adequate cardiac output as target for inotropic treatment. The experts agreed on 11 strong recommendations, all of which were based on excellent (> 90%) or good (81-90%) agreement. Recommendations include the indications for inotropes (septic and cardiogenic shock), the choice of drugs (dobutamine, not dopamine), the triggers (low cardiac output and clinical signs of hypoperfusion) and targets (adequate cardiac output) and stopping criteria (adverse effects and clinical improvement).

CONCLUSION

Inotrope use in critically ill patients is quite heterogeneous as self-reported by individual caregivers. Eleven strong recommendations on the indications, choice, triggers and targets for the use of inotropes are given by international experts. Future studies should focus on consistent indications for inotrope use and implementation into a guideline for circulatory shock that encompasses individualized targets and outcomes.

Esmolol in Cardiac Surgery: A Randomized Controlled Trial

OBJECTIVE

To assess whether the administration of the ultra-short-acting β-blocker esmolol in cardiac surgery could have a cardioprotective effect that translates into improved postoperative outcomes.

DESIGN

Single-center, double-blinded, parallel-group randomized controlled trial.

SETTING

A tertiary care referral center.

PARTICIPANTS

Patients undergoing elective cardiac surgery with preoperative evidence of left ventricular end-diastolic diameter >60 mm and/or left ventricular ejection fraction <50%.

INTERVENTIONS

Patients were assigned randomly to receive either esmolol (1 mg/kg as a bolus before aortic cross-clamping and 2 mg/kg mixed in the cardioplegia solution) or placebo in a 1:1 allocation ratio.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

The primary composite endpoint of prolonged intensive care unit stay and/or in-hospital mortality occurred in 36/98 patients (36%) in the placebo group versus 27/102 patients (27%) in the esmolol group (p = 0.13). In the esmolol group, a reduction in the maximum inotropic score during the first 24 postoperative hours was observed (10 [interquartile range 5-15] v 7 [interquartile range 5-10.5]; p = 0.04), as well as a trend toward a reduction in postoperative low-cardiac-output syndrome (13/98 v 6/102; p = 0.08) and the rate of hospital admission at one year (26/95 v 16/96; p = 0.08). A trend toward an increase in the number of patients with ejection fraction ≥60% at hospital discharge also was observed (4/95 v 11/92; p = 0.06).

CONCLUSIONS

In the present trial, esmolol as a cardioplegia adjuvant enhanced postoperative cardiac performance but did not reduce a composite endpoint of prolonged intensive care unit stay and/or mortality.

Association between levosimendan, postoperative AKI, and mortality in cardiac surgery: Insights from the LEVO-CTS trial

OBJECTIVES

We aimed to evaluate the association between levosimendan treatment and acute kidney injury (AKI) as well as assess the clinical sequelae of AKI in cardiac surgery patients with depressed left ventricular function (ejection fraction <35%).

METHODS

Patients in the LEVO-CTS trial undergoing on-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), valve, or CABG/valve surgery were stratified by occurrence and severity of postoperative AKI using the AKIN classification. The association between levosimendan infusion and AKI was modeled using multivariable regression.

RESULTS

Among 854 LEVO-CTS patients, 231 (27.0%) experienced postoperative AKI, including 182 (21.3%) with stage 1, 35 (4.1%) with stage 2, and 14 (1.6%) with stage 3 AKI. The rate of AKI was similar between patients receiving levosimendan or placebo. The odds of 30-day mortality significantly increased by AKI stage compared to those without AKI (stage 1: adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 2.0, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.8-4.9; stage 2: aOR 9.1, 95% CI 3.2-25.7; stage 3: aOR 12.4, 95% CI 3.0-50.4). No association was observed between levosimendan, AKI stage, and odds of 30-day mortality (interaction P = .69). Factors independently associated with AKI included increasing age, body mass index, diabetes, and increasing baseline systolic blood pressure. Increasing baseline eGFR and aldosterone antagonist use were associated with a lower risk of AKI.

CONCLUSIONS

Postoperative AKI is common among high-risk patients undergoing cardiac surgery and associated with significantly increased risk of 30-day death or dialysis. Levosimendan was not associated with the risk of AKI.

Right Ventricular Longitudinal Strain Predicts Low-Cardiac- Output Syndrome After Surgical Aortic Valve Replacement in Patients With Preserved and Mid-range Ejection Fraction

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to analyze whether right ventricular free wall longitudinal strain (RVFWSL) could be a predictor of low-cardiac-output syndrome (LCOS) after surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) in patients with left ventricular ejection fraction ≥40%.

DESIGN

Prospective, observational study.

SETTING

The study was conducted at a third level university hospital.

PARTICIPANTS

The study comprised 75 patients with severe aortic stenosis and LVEF ≥40% who underwent SAVR. The primary outcome was the occurrence of LCOS, and secondary outcomes were in-hospital mortality, hospital stay, or vasoplegic syndrome.

INTERVENTIONS

Patients were divided into two groups (LCOS and no LCOS), and RVFWSL was analyzed to determine whether it is a predictor for LCOS. In addition, a receiver operating characteristic curve also was constructed, and the best cutoff value to predict LCOS was found. Furthermore, the reproducibility of RVFWSL measurements was evaluated.

MEASUREMENT AND MAIN RESULTS

The incidence of LCOS was 20% in the present study's cohort. After multivariate analysis, cross-clamp time (odds ratio 1.06, 95% confidence interval 1.02-1.11; p = 0.002) and RVFWSL (odds ratio 1.41, 95% confidence interval 1.07-1.87; p = 0.015) were the only predictors of LCOS. However, RVFWSL did not show association with secondary outcomes (p > 0.05 for all). The area under the curve of RVFWSL to predict LCOS was 0.75, and the best cutoff value was -17.3%, with a sensitivity of 86.7% and specificity of 61.7%.

CONCLUSIONS

RVFWSL seems to be a predictor of LCOS in patients with severe aortic stenosis and LVEF ≥40% undergoing SAVR. RVFWSL less than -17.3% may identify patients at increased risk for LCOS.

Perioperative care in cardiac surgery

As mortality is now low for many cardiac surgical procedures, there has been an increasing focus on patient centered outcomes such as recovery and quality of life. The Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) cardiac society recently published the first set of guidelines for cardiac surgery which will be useful as a starting point to help translate this philosophy for the benefit of those undergoing cardiac surgery. At the same time there are many advances in other areas such as mechanical circulation, diagnostics and quality metrics. We intend here to present a balanced and evidenced based review of selected aspects of current practice, encompassing both UK and international perioperative care with a focus on recent advances. For the convenience of the reader we will adopt the conventional perioperative preoperative, intraoperative and postoperative phases of care. The focus of cardiac surgical practice needs to evolve from mortality to recovery. Those specialists who work in cardiac anaesthesia and critical care are well placed to contribute to these changes. Accompanying this work is the development of technologies to improve recognition of and intervention to prevent early organ dysfunction. Measuring, benchmarking and publishing quality outcomes from cardiac surgical centres is likely to improve services and benefit our patients.

Levosimendan Plus Dobutamine in Acute Decompensated Heart Failure Refractory to Dobutamine

Randomized studies showed that Dobutamine and Levosimendan have similar impact on outcome but their combination has never been assessed in acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) with low cardiac output. This is a retrospective, single-center study that included 89 patients (61 ± 15 years) admitted for ADHF requiring inotropic support. The first group consisted of patients treated with dobutamine alone (n = 42). In the second group, levosimendan was administered on top of dobutamine, when the superior vena cava oxygen saturation (ScVO2) remained <60% after 3 days of dobutamine treatment (n = 47). The primary outcome was the occurrence of major cardiovascular events (MACE) at 6 months, defined as all cause death, heart transplantation or need for mechanical circulatory support. Baseline clinical characteristics were similar in both groups. At day-3, the ScVO2 target (>60%) was reached in 36% and 32% of patients in the dobutamine and dobutamine-levosimendan group, respectively. After adding levosimendan, 72% of the dobutamine-levosimendan-group reached the ScVO2 target value at dobutamine weaning. At six months, 42 (47%) patients experienced MACE (n = 29 for death). MACE was less frequent in the dobutamine-levosimendan (32%) than in the dobutamine-group (64%, p = 0.003). Independent variables associated with outcome were admission systolic blood pressure and dobutamine-levosimendan strategy (OR = 0.44 (0.23–0.84), p = 0.01). In conclusion, levosimendan added to dobutamine may improve the outcome of ADHF refractory to dobutamine alone.

Pre-bypass levosimendan in ventricular dysfunction-effect on right ventricle

BACKGROUND

Levosimendan is an effective calcium sensitizer with complementary mechanisms of action: calcium sensitization and opening of adenosine triphosphate-dependent potassium channels, both on the sarcolemma of the smooth muscle cells in the vasculature and on the mitochondria of cardiomyocytes. Levosimendan has a long-acting metabolite with a half-life of approximately 80 h. There have been a few small studies on this drug regarding right ventricular function. In view of this, we investigated the effect of levosimendan on right ventricular function in patients with coronary artery disease.

METHODS

This was a prospective, randomized, double-blind study on 50 patients with coronary artery disease and severe left ventricular dysfunction (left ventricular ejection fraction ≤35%) undergoing elective off-pump coronary artery bypass.

RESULTS

Levosimendan had an inotropic effect on right ventricular myocardium and a vasodilatory effect on blood vessels. It caused a decline in pulmonary vascular resistance (p < 0.018), right ventricular systolic pressure (p < 0.001), and pulmonary artery systolic pressure (p < 0.001), and improved right ventricular diastolic function as shown by the decrease in right ventricular Tei index (p < 0.001), right ventricular end-diastolic pressure, and the ratio of early diastolic tricuspid inflow to tricuspid lateral annular velocity (p < 0.006). However, we found no beneficial effects on intensive care unit or hospital stay (p = 0.164, p = 0.349, respectively) nor a mortality benefit.

CONCLUSIONS

Levosimendan has salutary effects on right ventricular function in patients with severe left ventricular dysfunction undergoing coronary artery bypass, in terms of improved hemodynamic parameters.

Treatments targeting inotropy

Acute heart failure (HF) and in particular, cardiogenic shock are associated with high morbidity and mortality. A therapeutic dilemma is that the use of positive inotropic agents, such as catecholamines or phosphodiesterase-inhibitors, is associated with increased mortality. Newer drugs, such as levosimendan or omecamtiv mecarbil, target sarcomeres to improve systolic function putatively without elevating intracellular Ca2+. Although meta-analyses of smaller trials suggested that levosimendan is associated with a better outcome than dobutamine, larger comparative trials failed to confirm this observation. For omecamtiv mecarbil, Phase II clinical trials suggest a favourable haemodynamic profile in patients with acute and chronic HF, and a Phase III morbidity/mortality trial in patients with chronic HF has recently begun. Here, we review the pathophysiological basis of systolic dysfunction in patients with HF and the mechanisms through which different inotropic agents improve cardiac function. Since adenosine triphosphate and reactive oxygen species production in mitochondria are intimately linked to the processes of excitation-contraction coupling, we also discuss the impact of inotropic agents on mitochondrial bioenergetics and redox regulation. Therefore, this position paper should help identify novel targets for treatments that could not only safely improve systolic and diastolic function acutely, but potentially also myocardial structure and function over a longer-term.

Effects of Levosimendan on cardiac function, size and strain in heart failure patients

Levosimendan improves cardiac function in heart failure populations; however, its exact mechanism is not well defined. We analysed the short-term impact of levosimendan in heart failure patients with ischemic and non-ischemic cardiomyopathy (CMP) using multiparametric cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR). We identified 33 patients with ischemic or non-ischemic CMP who received two consecutive CMR scans prior to and within one week after levosimendan administration. Changes in LV ejection fraction (LVEF) and LV volumes, as well as changes in strain rates, were measured prior to and within one week after levosimendan infusion. LV scarring, based on late gadolinium enhancement (LGE), was correlated to changes in LV size and strain rates. Both LV endiastolic (EDV) and endsystolic volumes (ESV) significantly decreased (EDV: p=0,001; ESV: p=0,002) after levosimendan administration, with no significant impact on LVEF (p=0.41), cardiac output (p=0.61), and strain rates. Subgroup analyses of ischemic or non-ischemic CMP showed no significant differences between the groups in terms of short-term LV reverse remodeling. The presence and extent of scarring in LGE did not correlate with changes in LV size and strain rates. CMR is able to monitor cardiac effects of levosimendan infusion. Short-term follow-up of a single levosimendan infusion using CMR shows a significant decrease in LV size, but no impact on LVEF or strain measurements. There was no difference between patients with ischemic or non-ischemic CMP. Quantification of LV scarring in CMR is not able to predict changes in LV size and strain rates in response to levosimendan.

The effect of levosimendan on postoperative bleeding and blood transfusion in cardiac surgical patients: a PRISMA-compliant systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Levosimendan (LEVO), is an inotropic agent which has been shown to be associated with better myocardial performance, and higher survival rate in cardiac surgical patients. However, preliminary clinical evidence suggested that LEVO increased the risk of post-operative bleeding in patients undergoing valve surgery. Currently, there has been no randomized controlled trials (RCTs) designed specifically on this issue. Therefore, we performed present systemic review and meta-analysis.

METHODS

Electronic databases were searched to identify all RCTs comparing LEVO with Control (placebo, blank, dobutamine, milrinone, etc). Primary outcomes include post-operative blood loss and re-operation for bleeding. Secondary outcomes included post-operative transfusion of red blood cells (RBC), fresh frozen plasma (FFP) and platelet concentrates (PC). For continuous variables, treatment effects were calculated as weighted mean difference (WMD) and 95% confidential interval (CI). For dichotomous data, treatment effects were calculated as odds ratio (OR) and 95% CI.

RESULTS

Search yielded 15 studies including 1,528 patients. Meta-analysis suggested that, LEVO administration was not associated with increased risk of reoperation for bleeding post-operatively (OR = 1.01; 95%CI: 0.57 to 1.79; p = 0.97) and more blood loss volume (WMD = 28.25; 95%CI: -19.21 to 75.72; p = 0.24). Meta-analysis also demonstrated that, LEVO administration did not increase post-operative transfusion requirement for RBC (rate: OR = 0.97; 95%CI: 0.72 to 1.30; p = 0.83 and volume: WMD = 0.34; 95%CI: -0.55 to 1.22; p = 0.46), FFP (volume: WMD = 0.00; 95%CI: -0.10 to 0.10; p = 1.00) and PC (rate: OR = 1.01; 95%CI: 0.41 to 2.50; p = 0.98 and volume: WMD = 0.00; 95%CI: -0.05 to 0.04; p = 0.95).

CONCLUSION

This meta-analysis suggested that, peri-operative administration of LEVO was not associated with increased risks of post-operative bleeding and blood transfusion requirement in cardiac surgical patients.

[S3-Guideline Intensive Care Therapy of Cardiac Surgery Patients - a Practical Approach]

The current S3-Guideline for intensive care therapy in patients after cardiac surgery provides a wealth of information and recommendations ranging from monitoring to treatment options for various perioperative clinical situations. This article focuses on the most relevant information applicable to every-day critical care practice, covering important aspects of general and advanced monitoring, goal directed hemodynamic therapy and treatment principles for perioperative left and right heart failure.

[Individualized use of levosimendan in cardiac surgery]

BACKGROUND

Levosimendan is a cardiac inotrope that augments myocardial contractility without increasing myocyte oxygen consumption. Additionally, levosimendan has been shown to exhibit anti-inflammatory, antioxidative, and other cardioprotective properties and is approved for treatment of heart failure. Recent studies indicated that these beneficial effects can be achieved with doses lower than the standard dose of 12.5 mg. Patients with preoperatively diagnosed left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) ≤40% received 1.25 mg levosimendan after induction of anesthesia. After surgery, administration of low-dose levosimendan was repeated until cardiovascular stability was achieved.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to evaluate if pharmacological preconditioning with 1.25 mg levosimendan in patients with LVEF ≤40% altered the postoperative need for inotropic agents, the incidence of newly occurring atrial fibrillation, renal replacement therapy, mechanical circulatory support and 30-day mortality. The cumulative dosage of levosimendan was recorded to assess the required dosage in the context of individualized treatment.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

This retrospective study included patients with preoperatively diagnosed LVEF ≤40% who underwent cardiac surgery at this institution between January 2015 and December 2018 and who received 1.25 mg levosimendan after induction of anesthesia to prevent postoperative low cardiac output syndrome. Based on echocardiography results, invasive hemodynamic monitoring, and central venous or mixed venous oxygen saturation and lactate clearance, repetitive doses of levosimendan in 1.25 mg increments could be postoperatively administered until cardiovascular stability was achieved. The results were compared to the current literature.

RESULTS

We identified 183 patients with LVEF <40% who received pharmacological preconditioning with 1.25 mg levosimendan. Maximum doses of epinephrine, incidence of atrial fibrillation, need for renal replacement therapy and 30-day mortality were found to be below the published rates of comparable patient collectives. In 73.2% of patients, a cumulative dosage of 5 mg levosimendan or less was considered sufficient.

CONCLUSION

The presented concept of pharmacological preconditioning with 1.25 mg levosimendan followed by individualized additional dosing in cardiac surgery patients with preoperative LVEF ≤40% suggests that this concept is safe, with possible advantages regarding the need of inotropic agents, renal replacement therapy, and 30-day mortality, compared to the current literature. Individualized treatment with levosimendan to support hemodynamics and a timely reduction of inotropic agents needs further confirmation in randomized trials.

The Year in Cardiothoracic Critical Care: Selected Highlights from 2019

In 2019, cardiothoracic and vascular critical care remained an important focus and subspecialty. This article continues the annual series to review relevant contributions in postoperative critical care that may affect the cardiac anesthesiologist. Herein, the pertinent literature published in 2019 is explored and organized by organ system.

Temporary circulatory support for cardiogenic shock

Cardiogenic shock can occur due to acute ischaemic or non-ischaemic cardiac events, or from progression of long-standing underlying heart disease. When addressing the cause of underlying disease, the management of cardiogenic shock consists of vasopressors and inotropes; however, these agents can increase myocardial oxygen consumption, impair tissue perfusion, and are frequently ineffective. An alternative approach is to temporarily augment cardiac output using mechanical devices. The use of these devices-known as temporary circulatory support systems-has increased substantially in recent years, despite being expensive, resource intensive, associated with major complications, and lacking high-quality evidence to support their use. This Review summarises the physiological basis underlying the use of temporary circulatory support for cardiogenic shock, reviews the evidence informing indications and contraindications, addresses ethical considerations, and highlights the need for further research.

Impact of the perioperative inotropic support in grown-up congenital heart patients undergoing cardiac surgery: a propensity score adjusted analysis

Background

Grown-up congenital heart (GUCH) patients represent a growing population with a high morbidity risk when undergoing reparative surgery. A main preoperative feature is right ventricular failure, which represents a risk factor for postoperative low cardiac output syndrome. Levosimendan has a potentially beneficial effect. This retrospective study included consecutive GUCH patients with surgeries in a tertiary cardiothoracic centre between 01-01-2013 and 01-10-2017, to test the hypothesis that the postoperative use of levosimendan might be associated with shorter time of mechanical ventilation, when compared with the use of milrinone. To adjust for bias related to the probability of treatment assignment, it uses the inverse propensity score weighting methodology.

Results

Overall 363 patients had GUCH surgeries during the study period, their mean age was 31.39 ± 15.31 years, 87 patients were eligible for analysis in the Levosimendan group and 117 in the Milrinone group. The propensity score used pre- and intraoperative variables and resulted in a good balance between covariates. The Levosimendan group included patients with higher preoperative risk scores, a higher prevalence of left and right ventricular failure, who required more often the addition of epinephrine, renal replacement therapy, prolonged mechanical ventilation and intensive care stay. However, after propensity score weighting, patients in the Levosimendan group had shorter durations of mechanical ventilation (average treatment effect − 37.59 h IQR [− 138.85 to − 19.13], p = 0.01) and intensive care stay (average treatment effect − 3.11 days IQR [− 10.03 to − 1.48], p = 0.009). The number of days of additional epinephrine support was shorter and the vasoactive inotropic scores lower.

Conclusion

We report a beneficial effect in terms of duration of mechanical ventilation and intensive care stay, and on inotropic requirements of the use of levosimendan following GUCH surgeries. The use of levosimendan in this setting requires validation at a larger scale.

Levosimendan Efficacy and Safety: 20 years of SIMDAX in Clinical Use

Levosimendan was first approved for clinic use in 2000, when authorisation was granted by Swedish regulatory authorities for the haemodynamic stabilisation of patients with acutely decompensated chronic heart failure. In the ensuing 20 years, this distinctive inodilator, which enhances cardiac contractility through calcium sensitisation and promotes vasodilatation through the opening of adenosine triphosphate-dependent potassium channels on vascular smooth muscle cells, has been approved in more than 60 jurisdictions, including most of the countries of the European Union and Latin America. Areas of clinical application have expanded considerably and now include cardiogenic shock, takotsubo cardiomyopathy, advanced heart failure, right ventricular failure and pulmonary hypertension, cardiac surgery, critical care and emergency medicine. Levosimendan is currently in active clinical evaluation in the US. Levosimendan in IV formulation is being used as a research tool in the exploration of a wide range of cardiac and non-cardiac disease states. A levosimendan oral form is at present under evaluation in the management of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. To mark the 20 years since the advent of levosimendan in clinical use, 51 experts from 23 European countries (Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, UK and Ukraine) contributed to this essay, which evaluates one of the relatively few drugs to have been successfully introduced into the acute heart failure arena in recent times and charts a possible development trajectory for the next 20 years.

Levosimendan Efficacy and Safety: 20 Years of SIMDAX in Clinical Use

Levosimendan was first approved for clinical use in 2000, when authorization was granted by Swedish regulatory authorities for the hemodynamic stabilization of patients with acutely decompensated chronic heart failure (HF). In the ensuing 20 years, this distinctive inodilator, which enhances cardiac contractility through calcium sensitization and promotes vasodilatation through the opening of adenosine triphosphate-dependent potassium channels on vascular smooth muscle cells, has been approved in more than 60 jurisdictions, including most of the countries of the European Union and Latin America. Areas of clinical application have expanded considerably and now include cardiogenic shock, takotsubo cardiomyopathy, advanced HF, right ventricular failure, pulmonary hypertension, cardiac surgery, critical care, and emergency medicine. Levosimendan is currently in active clinical evaluation in the United States. Levosimendan in IV formulation is being used as a research tool in the exploration of a wide range of cardiac and noncardiac disease states. A levosimendan oral form is at present under evaluation in the management of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. To mark the 20 years since the advent of levosimendan in clinical use, 51 experts from 23 European countries (Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and Ukraine) contributed to this essay, which evaluates one of the relatively few drugs to have been successfully introduced into the acute HF arena in recent times and charts a possible development trajectory for the next 20 years.

Preconditioning with levosimendan reduces postoperative low cardiac output in moderate-severe systolic dysfunction patients who will undergo elective coronary artery bypass graft surgery: a cost-effective strategy

Background

Patients with moderate-severe systolic dysfunction undergoing coronary artery bypass graft have a higher incidence of postoperative low cardiac output. Preconditioning with levosimendan may be a useful strategy to prevent this complication. In this context, design cost-effective strategies like preconditioning with levosimendan may become necessary.

Methods

In a sequential assignment of patients with Left Ventricle Ejection Fraction less than 40%, two strategies were compared in terms of cost-effectiveness: standard care (n = 41) versus preconditioning with Levosimendan (n = 13). The adverse effects studied included: postoperative new-onset atrial fibrillation, low cardiac output, renal failure and prolonged mechanical ventilation. The costs were evaluated using deterministic and probabilistic sensitivity analysis, and Monte Carlo simulations were performed.

Results

Preconditioning with levosimendan in moderate to severe systolic dysfunction (Left Ventricle Ejection Fraction < 40%), was associated with a lower incidence of postoperative low cardiac output in elective coronary artery bypass graft surgery 2(15.4%) vs 25(61%) (P < 0.01) and lesser intensive care unit length of stay 2(1–4) vs 4(3–6) days (P = 0.03). Average cost on levosimendan group was 14,792€ while the average cost per patient without levosimendan was 17,007€. Patients with no complications represented 53.8% of the total in the levosimendan arm, as compared to 31.7% in the non-levosimendan arm. In all Montecarlo simulations for sensitivity analysis, use of levosimendan was less expensive and more effective.

Conclusions

Preconditioning with levosimendan, is a cost-effective strategy preventing postoperative low cardiac output in patients with moderate-severe left ventricular systolic dysfunction undergoing elective coronary artery bypass graft surgery.

Effects of levosimendan on weaning and survival in adult cardiogenic shock patients with veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation: systematic review and meta-analysis

Introduction:

Veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation may be used to support patients with refractory cardiogenic shock. Many patients can be successfully weaned, the ability of some medications to facilitate weaning from veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation were reported. To date, there are limited studies investigating the impact of levosimendan on veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation weaning. The objective of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to assess the effects of levosimendan on successful weaning from veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation and survival in adult patients with cardiogenic shock.

Methods:

We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis (PubMed, the Cochrane Library, and the International Clinical Trials Registry Platform published from the year 2000 onwards) investigating whether levosimendan offers advantages compared to standard therapy or placebo, in cardiogenic shock adult patients treated with veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. The primary outcome was veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation successful weaning, whereas secondary outcome was all-cause mortality at the longest follow-up available. We pooled risk ratio and 95% confidence interval using fixed and random effects models according to the heterogeneity.

Results:

A total of five non-randomized clinical trials comprising 557 patients were included, 299 patients for levosimendan and 258 patients for control groups. The pooled prevalence of veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation successful weaning was 61.4% (95% confidence interval 39.8-82.9%), and all-cause mortality was 36% (95% confidence interval 29.6-48.8%). There was a significant increase in veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation successful weaning with levosimendan compared to the controls (risk ratio = 1.42 (95% confidence interval 1.12-1.8), p for effect = 0.004, I2 = 71%). A decrease risk of all-cause mortality in the levosimendan group was also observed, risk ratio = 0.62 (95% confidence interval 0.44-0.88), p for effect = 0.007, I2 = 36%.

Conclusion:

The use of levosimendan on adult patients with cardiogenic shock may facilitate the veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation weaning and reduce all-cause mortality. Few articles of this topic are available, and prospective, randomized multi-center trials are warranted to conclude decisively on the benefits of levosimendan in this setting.

Short-term treatments for acute cardiac care: inotropes and inodilators

Acute heart failure (AHF) continues to be a substantial cause of illness and death, with in-hospital and 3-month mortality rates of 5% and 10%, respectively, and 6-month re-admission rates in excess of 50% in a range of clinical trials and registry studies; the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) Heart Failure Long-Term Registry recorded a 1-year death or rehospitalization rate of 36%. As regards the short-term treatment of AHF patients, evidence was collected in the ESC Heart Failure Long-Term Registry that intravenous (i.v.) treatments are administered heterogeneously in the critical phase, with limited reference to guideline recommendations. Moreover, recent decades have been characterized by a prolonged lack of successful innovation in this field, with a plethora of clinical trials generating neutral or inconclusive findings on long-term mortality effects from a multiplicity of short-term interventions in AHF. One of the few exceptions has been the calcium sensitizer and inodilator levosimendan, introduced 20 years ago for the treatment of acutely decompensated chronic heart failure. In the present review, we will focus on the utility of this agent in the wider context of i.v. inotropic and inodilating therapies for AHF and related pathologies.

The Impact of Anesthetic Regimen on Outcomes in Adult Cardiac Surgery: A Narrative Review

Despite improvements in surgical techniques and perioperative care, cardiac surgery still is burdened by relatively high mortality and frequent major postoperative complications, including myocardial dysfunction, pulmonary complications, neurologic injury, and acute kidney injury. Although the surgeon's skills and volume and patient- and procedure-related risk factors play a major role in the success of cardiac surgery, there is growing evidence that also optimizing perioperative care may improve outcomes significantly. The present review focuses on the aspects of perioperative care that are strictly related to the anesthesia regimen, with special reference to volatile anesthetics and neuraxial anesthesia, whose effect on outcome in adult cardiac surgery has been investigated extensively.

Long-term outcome of perioperative low cardiac output syndrome in cardiac surgery: 1-year results of a multicenter randomized trial

PURPOSE

Perioperative myocardial dysfunction occurs frequently in cardiac surgery, and is a risk factor for morbidity and mortality. Levosimendan has been suggested to reduce mortality of patients with perioperative myocardial dysfunction. However, long-term outcome data on its efficacy in cardiac surgery are lacking.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Cardiac surgery patients with perioperative myocardial dysfunction were randomized to levosimendan or placebo, in addition to standard inotropic care. One-year mortality data were collected.

RESULTS

We randomized 506 patients (248 to levosimendan 258 to placebo). At 1-year follow-up, 41 patients (16.5%) died in the levosimendan group, while 47 (18.3%) died in the placebo group (absolute risk difference -1.8; 95% CI -8.4 to 4.9; P = .60). Female sex, history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, previous myocardial infarction, serum creatinine, hematocrit, mean arterial pressure, and duration of cardiopulmonary bypass were independently associated with 1-year mortality.

CONCLUSIONS

Levosimendan administration does not improve 1-year survival in cardiac surgery patients with perioperative myocardial dysfunction. One-year mortality in these patients is 17%. Six predictive factors for long-term mortality were identified.

STUDY REGISTRATION NUMBER

NCT00994825 (ClinicalTrials.gov).