Resumo

GONZALEZ-CHON, Octavio et al. Levosimendan: A new strategy in the treatment of heart failure. Arch. Cardiol. Méx. [online]. 2005, vol.75, suppl.3, pp. 130-139. ISSN 1405-9940.

Congestive heart failure is a long standing health issue. Traditionally, heart failure has been treated with a wide array of drugs such as diuretics, digitalis, catecholamine and non catecholamine inotropics, although treatment with these drugs bears adverse effects, such as the generation of arrhythmia and even death. A new class of drugs has recently exerted a positive impact on the treatment of patients with heart failure; these are the calcium sensitizers that enhance myocardial contractility without increasing cytosolic calcium. Levosimendan is a calcium sensitizer that, besides increasing contractility, has a vasodilating effect due to the activation of K_(ATP) channels, being both mechanisms responsible for an advantageous therapeutic option. Different studies have proven the efficiency and safety profile of the drug on various scenarios and populations; thereby considering levosimendan a real and safe alternative treatment for patients with acute or chronic ventricular failure that need intravenous pharmacological support

Palavras-chave : Levosimendan; Heart failure; Calcium sensitizers.