The therapeutic effect of levosimendan in patients with prolonged ventilator weaning and cardiac dysfunction.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To explore the therapeutic effect of levosimendan in patients with prolonged ventilator weaning and cardiac dysfunction. METHOD: Patients with prolonged ventilator weaning and cardiac dysfunction were randomly allocated to receive conventional treatment (control group) or intravenous infusion of levosimendan for 24 h based on conventional treatment (levosimendan group). Weaning success rates were then compared between the two groups. The study was retrospectively registered with Research Registry (ID No. researchregistry10304). RESULTS: A total of 40 patients were included (20 per group). Within 3 days after initiation of treatment, significantly more cases were successfully weaned in the levosimendan group versus control group (eight versus four cases, respectively). Among the eight patients who underwent pulse indicator continuous cardiac output monitoring in the levosimendan group, the global ejection fraction increased 24 h after treatment, and the cardiac function index and cardiac index increased 72 h after treatment. CONCLUSION: For patients requiring prolonged mechanical ventilation who have concomitant cardiac dysfunction, levosimendan may be considered to increase the probability of weaning success.