Changes in Stressed Blood Volume with Levosimendan in Pulmonary Hypertension from Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction: Insights Regarding Mechanism of Action from the HELP Trial

Levosimendan is a K+-ATPase activator, cardiac myofilament Ca2+-sensitizer, and phosphodiesterase inhibitor with positive inotropic effects and vasodilatory properties in the pulmonary and systemic circulation, all of which are potential therapeutic targets for patients with pulmonary hypertension and heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (PH-HFpEF) [1]. In the recent multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled Hemodynamic Evaluation of Levosimendan in Patients with HFpEF (HELP) study, a weekly infusion of levosimendan decreased pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP) and central venous pressure (CVP) and was associated with a significant increase in six-minute walk distance [2].
Source: Journal of Cardiac Failure - Category: Cardiology Authors: Tags: Brief Report Source Type: research