Journal of cardiovascular pharmacology
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J. Cardiovasc. Pharmacol. · Dec 2005
Duration of the beneficial effects of levosimendan in decompensated heart failure as measured by echocardiographic indices and B-type natriuretic peptide.
Levosimendan is effective in the treatment of decompensated heart failure. The beneficial effects of a single dose of levosimendan last much longer than those of other inotropes. However, the exact duration of the beneficial effects is unknown. ⋯ Plasma BNP also displayed the same pattern of transient improvements. In conclusion, LS transiently improved the cardiac function, and the effects lasted for at least 7 days after discontinuation of infusion. Most effects, except LVEF, were not significantly different from baseline on day 30.