Rev Esp Cardiol
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
[Hemodynamic effects of levosimendan compared with dobutamine in patients with low cardiac output after cardiac surgery].
Levosimendan is an inotropic agent that is effective in the treatment of heart failure. However, experience with levosimendan in patients with reduced cardiac output following cardiopulmonary bypass is limited. The objective of this study was to compare the short-term hemodynamic effects of levosimendan with those of dobutamine in managing low cardiac output after cardiac surgery. ⋯ Both dobutamine and levosimendan are effective in managing postoperative low cardiac output. However, levosimendan induces non-specific systemic, venous and pulmonary vasodilation which can result in hypotension as a adverse event. In these patients, it is advisable to omit or reduce the loading dose.
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Editorial Comment Review
[Levosimendan in acute heart failure: past, present and future].
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Previous estimates of the incidence of cardiac complications following major elective surgery have all been obtained in populations with specific risk factors or in contexts that differ from those found in Spain. Our aims were to estimate the frequency of postoperative cardiac complications following major elective non-cardiac surgery in patients aged 40 years or more, and to identify associated risk factors. ⋯ Cardiac complications occurred in 1% of consecutive patients aged 40 years or more in the three months following major elective non-cardiac surgery.