The effect of levosimendan on the right ventricular function in patients with right ventricular dysfunction undergoing mitral valve surgery

BACKGROUND: Right ventricular (RV) dysfunction is an important predictor of both immediate and long-term outcomes in valve surgeries. Levosimendan has proven beneficial in improving RV function. AIMS: The objective was to study the effect of the addition of levosimendan to the conventional treatment on RV function in patients with RV dysfunction undergoing mitral valve (MV) surgeries. SETTING AND DESIGN: Prospective randomized double-blinded controlled study at a tertiary care institution. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty adult patients aged 15–65 years, with preoperative transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) findings of RV dysfunction posted for elective MV surgery, were randomized into levosimendan (L) group and placebo (P) group. Patients in the L group were administered levosimendan at a rate of 0.1 mcg/kg/min after induction for 24 hrs, whereas patients in the P group were given multivitamin infusion at the same rate. Both the groups received standard inotropic therapy. The hemodynamic and echocardiographic parameters of RV function (RV size, Inferior vena cava (IVC) diameter, RV fractional area change (RVFAC) Tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE), and Systolic Pulmonary Artery Pressure (SPAP) were compared between the groups at 6 hrs, 24 hrs, and 7(th) day postoperatively. RESULTS: All hemodynamic and echocardiographic parameters of RV function like RV size, IVC diameter, RVFAC, TAPSE, and SPAP improved from baseline to 24 hrs in both groups. Levosimendan caused a significant improvement in RV function compared to the P group at 24 hrs and 7(th) day postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: The present study concludes that levosimendan is a promising option in patients with RV dysfunction undergoing MV surgeries.