Levosimendan

DescriptionLevosimendan was introduced in Sweden as an i.v. infusion for the treatment of acute heart failure or refractory symptoms of chronic heart failure in cases where conventional treatment (e.g., diuretic or ACE inhibitor) is not sufficient. Levosimendan is the (R)- enantiomer of simendan that belongs to the same class as pimobendan (Boehringer Ingelheim).

UsesLevosimendan is a positive inotropic agent that acts by sensitising troponin C to Ca2+, prolonging actin-myosin cross-bridge formation and therefore increasing contractility. This is an energy-independent process and therefore does not increase myocardial oxygen demand. Levosimendan also causes vasodilatation by opening ATP-sensitive K+ channels in vascular smooth muscle, reducing pre- and afterload and improving myocardial oxygen supply. It may have a role in the management of acute heart failure and postresuscitation myocardial dysfunction.

General DescriptionLevosimendan is a calcium sensitizer that can cause increased cardiac contractility by binding troponin C (EC50 = 9 nM), promotes vasodilation by activating ATP-sensitive potassium channels on vascular smooth muscle cells (EC50 = 0.28 μM), and performs a cardioprotective function by prompting the opening of mitochondrial potassium channels in cardiomyocytes. It also has been reported to inhibit phosphodiesterases 3 and 4 in left ventricular cardiac tissue with IC50 values of 2.5 nM and 25 μM, respectively.