Levosimendan in Cardiac Surgery: Evaluating the Evidence.

Abstract

Levosimendan, a calcium-sensitizing and Adenosine triphosphate-sensitive potassium channel opening inodilator, has the potential to improve cardiac function without increasing oxygen consumption. The evidence supporting the use of levosimendan in the cardiac surgical perioperative period is not well-established. Recently, large-scale randomized controlled trials studying the utility of levosimendan in cardiac surgery have been conducted. This review examines the physiological and pharmacologic properties of levosimendan and evaluates the literature regarding the use of levosimendan in patients undergoing cardiac surgery.