Abstract
Levosimendan is a calcium-sensitizing agent that improves cardiac function, hemodynamic performance, and survival in critically ill adult patient. Few data exist on its off-label use in paediatric patients. We therefore performed a systematic review updated in September 2013 of all the published articles describing the use of levosimendan in paediatric patients. We identified 24 studies published in the period 2004-2013 that included a total of 623 patients, the largest one being a case series of 293 patients. Most of the patients underwent cardiac surgery, other settings consisting of chronic heart failure, primary congenital heart diseases and sepsis and cancer-associated cardiac dysfunction. Most studies reported improvement in ventricular function, central venous oxygen saturation, serum lactate levels or cardiac index. The 5 randomized studies published so far have all been performed in cardiac surgery and suggest a beneficial effect on hemodynamic data with no effect on intensive care unit stay, hospital stay or survival. Side effects (e.g. hypotension) were reported. This inodilator merits to be investigated with further randomized trials focusing on clinically relevant outcomes.
Keywords: Cardiac surgery, chronic heart failure, congenital heart diseases, hemodynamic effect, levosimendan, paediatric patients, systematic review.
Current Vascular Pharmacology
Title:A Systematic Review on Levosimendan in Paediatric Patients
Volume: 13 Issue: 1
Author(s): Simona Silvetti, Paolo Silvani, Maria Luisa Azzolini, Roberto Dossi, Giovanni Landoni and Alberto Zangrillo
Affiliation:
Keywords: Cardiac surgery, chronic heart failure, congenital heart diseases, hemodynamic effect, levosimendan, paediatric patients, systematic review.
Abstract: Levosimendan is a calcium-sensitizing agent that improves cardiac function, hemodynamic performance, and survival in critically ill adult patient. Few data exist on its off-label use in paediatric patients. We therefore performed a systematic review updated in September 2013 of all the published articles describing the use of levosimendan in paediatric patients. We identified 24 studies published in the period 2004-2013 that included a total of 623 patients, the largest one being a case series of 293 patients. Most of the patients underwent cardiac surgery, other settings consisting of chronic heart failure, primary congenital heart diseases and sepsis and cancer-associated cardiac dysfunction. Most studies reported improvement in ventricular function, central venous oxygen saturation, serum lactate levels or cardiac index. The 5 randomized studies published so far have all been performed in cardiac surgery and suggest a beneficial effect on hemodynamic data with no effect on intensive care unit stay, hospital stay or survival. Side effects (e.g. hypotension) were reported. This inodilator merits to be investigated with further randomized trials focusing on clinically relevant outcomes.
Export Options
About this article
Cite this article as:
Silvetti Simona, Silvani Paolo, Azzolini Maria Luisa, Dossi Roberto, Landoni Giovanni and Zangrillo Alberto, A Systematic Review on Levosimendan in Paediatric Patients, Current Vascular Pharmacology 2015; 13 (1) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1570161112666141127163536
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1570161112666141127163536 |
Print ISSN 1570-1611 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1875-6212 |
Call for Papers in Thematic Issues
Advancements in Arterial Stiffness: Novel Therapeutic Frontiers
Arterial stiffness, a hallmark of cardiovascular disease, poses significant challenges in contemporary healthcare. This thematic issue delves into the multifaceted landscape of arterial stiffness and explores cutting-edge therapeutic interventions aimed at mitigating its adverse effects. Within these pages, readers will find a comprehensive overview of the mechanisms underlying arterial stiffness, ...read more
New Frontiers in Cardiovascular and Hematologic Disease Treatment: Exploring and Applying Natural Drug Targets
Cardiovascular and hematologic diseases are among the most pressing global health challenges, placing a heavy burden on public health systems worldwide. As research progresses, novel therapeutic targets continue to be identified, offering new possibilities for treating these complex conditions. However, despite advancements in current therapies, more integrated research approaches are ...read more
Treatment of Cardiovascular Disease in Chronic and End Stage Kidney Disease
Cardiovascular disease still remains the leading cause of death in Chronic and End Stage Kidney Disease, accounting for more than half of all deaths in dialysis patients. During the past decade, research has been focused on novel therapeutic agents that might delay or even reverse cardiovascular disease and vascular calcification, ...read more

- Author Guidelines
- Bentham Author Support Services (BASS)
- Graphical Abstracts
- Fabricating and Stating False Information
- Research Misconduct
- Post Publication Discussions and Corrections
- Publishing Ethics and Rectitude
- Increase Visibility of Your Article
- Archiving Policies
- Peer Review Workflow
- Order Your Article Before Print
- Promote Your Article
- Manuscript Transfer Facility
- Editorial Policies
- Allegations from Whistleblowers
- Announcements
Related Articles
-
Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension in HIV-infected Patients
Current Hypertension Reviews Environmental Factors and Hypertension
Current Pharmaceutical Design Cannabinoid Modulation of Neuroinflammatory Disorders
Current Neuropharmacology Biomarker Assays for Personalised Stroke Risk Assessment in Atrial Fibrillation
Cardiovascular & Hematological Disorders-Drug Targets Cyclic AMP Enhancers and Aβ Oligomerization Blockers as Potential Therapeutic Agents in Alzheimers Disease
Current Alzheimer Research Apolipoprotein(a) Antisense Oligonucleotides: A New Treatment Option for Lowering Elevated Lipoprotein(a)?
Current Pharmaceutical Design Whole Cell Biocatalysts for the Preparation of Nucleosides and their Derivatives
Current Pharmaceutical Design Emerging Antimicrobial Applications of Nitric Oxide (NO) and NO-Releasing Materials
Anti-Infective Agents in Medicinal Chemistry The Endocannabinoid System: A Promising Target for the Management of Type 2 Diabetes
Current Protein & Peptide Science Docking Studies for Multi-Target Drugs
Current Drug Targets Humoral and Mechanical Cross-Talk in the Vasculature: Perspectives in Vascular Disease
Vascular Disease Prevention (Discontinued) Crosstalk between Oxidative and Nitrosative Stress and Arterial Stiffness
Current Vascular Pharmacology The Triad: Erectile Dysfunction - Endothelial Dysfunction - Cardiovascular Disease
Current Pharmaceutical Design Activating Protein-1 (AP-1): A Promising Target for the Treatment of Fibrotic Diseases
Current Medicinal Chemistry Critical Limb Ischemia: Definition and Natural History
Current Drug Targets - Cardiovascular & Hematological Disorders The Therapeutic Potential of PhospholipaseA2 Inhibitors in Cardiovascular Disease
Cardiovascular & Hematological Agents in Medicinal Chemistry Angiotensin II Blockade and Renal Protection
Current Pharmaceutical Design Resveratrol and Cardiac Fibrosis Prevention and Treatment
Current Pharmaceutical Biotechnology Pharmacological Evaluation of Polar Extract of <i>Chrozophora</i> tinctoria for Effective Treatment of Cancer: <i>In Vitro</i> Qualitative and Quantitative Analysis
Current Nutraceuticals Lipid-Induced Modulation of Protective Signalling Pathways in Cardiovascular Disease: The Role of High Density Lipoproteins
Current Signal Transduction Therapy