Pulmonary wedge pressure (P = 0.01 and P = 0.03, respectively) (Fig. 1). -blockade attenuated

Pulmonary wedge pressure (P = 0.01 and P = 0.03, respectively) (Fig. 1). -blockade attenuated the effect of DO but did not reduce the effects of LS. There was even a slight trend for improved haemodynamic benefits of LS in patients under -blockade. These findings suggest that LS maybe successfully combined with -blockers to treat patients with low-output heart failure. Mean changes in manufacturer cardiac output (CO) and pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP) in patients given LS (?n = 69 and + n = 33) and DO (?n = 67 and + n = 28).P139 Effects of levosimendan on cardiac arrhythmia in patients with severe heart failureJ Lilleberg*, L Toivonen *Peijas Hospital, Department of Medicine, P.O. Sairaalakatu 1, 01720 Vantaa, Finland; Helsinki University Hospital, Division of Cardiology, P.O. Box 340, Helsinki, Finland Levosimendan (LS) is a novel calcium sensitiser which enhances cardiac contractility without increasing myocardial oxygen consumption, and induces vasodilation. The effects of intravenous LS on cardiac arrhythmias in patients with moderate-to-severe heart failure were examined. The results of ambulatory electrocardiograms in 386 patients from 10 randomised, double-blind studies have been pooled (254 patients received LS and 132 patients received placebo). No significant differences in baseline haemodynamic parameters were observed between the LS and placebo PubMed ID:http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20724077 groups. Furthermore, mean 24-hour heart rate did not differ significantly between the two treatment groups (78 beats/min and 74 beats/min in LS and placebo groups, respectively). There were no differences in the occurrence or frequency of new supraventricular tachycardia (SVT), ventricular tachycardia (VT) or an increase in ventricular complexes (Morganroth’s criteria) (Table 1). One patient in the placebo group experienced ventricular fibrillation, while no cases of torsades des pointes were observed with either treatment.Table 1 Percentage of patients with supraventricular tachycardia (SVT), ventricular tachycardia (VT) or increase in premature ventricular complexes (PCV) after receiving levosimendan or placebo SVT Levosimendan Placebo 5 5 VT 12 15 Increase in PCV 8 9In conclusion, these data suggest that LS has little potential to induce life-threatening arrhythmias in patients with severe heart failure.P140 The effects of levosimendan on myocardial oxygen consumption and coronary blood flow early after coronary artery bypass graftingJ Lilleberg*, M Salmenper?*Peijas Hospital, Department of Medicine, P.O. Sairaalakatu 1, 01720 Vantaa, Finland; Department of Anesthesiology, Helsinki University Central Hospital, Helsinki, Finland Levosimendan (LS) is a myocardial calcium sensitiser indicated for the treatment of acute decompensated heart failure. This randomised, double-blind trial evaluated the haemodynamic effects of LS in low-risk patients (n = 23) following coronary artery bypass surgery. The effects of LS on myocardial oxygen (O2) consumption, coronary blood flow and systemic haemodynamics were measured by thermodilution. Patients received LS, 8 /kg (n = 8), or LS, 24 /kg (n = 7), or placebo (n = 8) as a 5-min infusion 1 hour after surgery. Measurements of systemic and coronary sinus haemodynamics, myocardial O2 consumption and cardiac substrate utilisation were made, before and after treatment with LS. Levosimendan, 8 /kg and 24 /kg, significantly increased cardiac output (CO) by 0.7 and 1.6 l/min, respectively (P < 0.05), compared to baseline. Mean arterial pressure and.