A 60-year-old man on ICU has levosimendan commenced for acute decompensated heart failure. What is its unique mechanism compared to traditional inotro...

Question

A 60-year-old man on ICU has levosimendan commenced for acute decompensated heart failure. What is its unique mechanism compared to traditional inotropes?

Accepted Answer

Calcium sensitiser - binds cardiac troponin C enhancing contractility WITHOUT increasing intracellular calcium; also opens KATP channels causing vasodilation and cardioprotection; it has a long-acting metabolite providing haemodynamic effects for 7-10 days after a single 24-hour infusion

Answer

Beta-1 agonist

Answer

PDE inhibitor only

Answer

Increases intracellular calcium

Answer

No vasodilatory properties

uk-fficm MCQ (SBA): Levosimendan

A 60-year-old man on ICU has levosimendan commenced for acute decompensated heart failure. What is its unique mechanism compared to traditional inotropes?