The influence of beta-blockade on the hemodynamic effects of levosimendan in elderly (>or= 70 years) patients with acutely decompensated systolic heart failure.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the influence of chronic beta-blockade on the hemodynamic parameters in elderly (>or= 70 years) patients with acutely decompensated systolic heart failure treated with levosimendan. Eighteen patients with acutely decompensated systolic heart failure (8 on chronic beta-blockade) were included in this study. Inclusion criteria were symptoms and signs of acute heart failure in the presence of: a) left ventricular ejection fraction < 0.35; b) cardiac index < 2.5 l/min/m2, c) pulmonary capillary wedge pressure > 15 mmHg; and d) systolic blood pressure between 90 and 110 mmHg. After completion of baseline hemodynamic measurements, a levosimendan intravenous infusion was started (initial loading dose given as an infusion of 24 microg/kg over 10 minutes, followed by a continuous infusion of 0.1 microg/kg/min for 24 hours). At the end of levosimendan infusion hemodynamic measurements were repeated. Demographic characteristics as well as baseline systolic and diastolic blood pressure were not significantly different between patients not receiving beta-blockers (Group A) and those under beta-blockade (Group B), whereas heart rate was significantly lower in the latter. Treatment with levosimendan was associated with an increase in the cardiac index and a decrease in wedge pressure in both groups (Group A: 43.8% and 33%; p < 0.001 vs. baseline; Group B: 17.72% and 17.5%, p < 0.001 vs. baseline, respectively). Peripheral and pulmonary resistance significantly decreased in both groups (31% vs. 15%, p < 0.001 and 44.5% vs. 25%, p < 0.001, respectively). Thus, the beneficial hemodynamic effects of levosimendan are maintained in elderly patients with acute decompensated systolic heart failure treated with beta-blockers.