Effects of levosimendan on circulating pro-inflammatory cytokines and soluble apoptosis mediators in patients with decompensated advanced heart failure.
Parissis JT., Adamopoulos S., Antoniades C., Kostakis G., Rigas A., Kyrzopoulos S., Iliodromitis E., Kremastinos D.
This randomized, placebo-controlled trial showed that levosimendan administration causes a significant reduction of circulating proinflammatory cytokine interleukin-6 and soluble apoptosis mediators, such as soluble Fas and Fas ligand in patients with decompensated heart failure. These immunomodulatory effects may lead to improvement of symptoms and echocardiographic markers of cardiac contractile performance in these patients.