Abstract
Pulmonary hypertension is a multifactorial disease with a high morbidity and
mortality. Right ventricular function is the most important predictor of
morbidity and mortality in patients suffering from pulmonary hypertension, but
currently there are no approved treatments directly supporting the failing right
ventricle. Levosimendan is a calcium sensitizing agent with inotropic, pulmonary
vasodilatory, and cardioprotective properties. Given its pharmacodynamic
profile, levosimendan could be a potential novel agent for the treatment of
right ventricular failure caused by pulmonary hypertension. The aim of this
review is to provide an overview of the current knowledge on the effects of
levosimendan in pulmonary hypertension and right heart failure.
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