European journal of heart failure
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Eur. J. Heart Fail. · Nov 2007
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative StudyNeurohumoral effects of the new orally active renin inhibitor, aliskiren, in chronic heart failure.
Suppression of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) is therapeutically valuable in chronic heart failure (CHF). RAAS inhibition can be achieved in a number of ways though an orally active renin inhibitor (RI) has never been studied before. We describe the neurohumoral effects of an RI. ⋯ Aliskiren appeared to suppress the RAAS as effectively as ramipril in the short term. RIs may offer an alternative therapeutic approach to the blockade of the RAAS.
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Eur. J. Heart Fail. · Jan 2007
Randomized Controlled TrialDuration of the haemodynamic action of a 24-h infusion of levosimendan in patients with congestive heart failure.
To determine the duration of haemodynamic and neurohormonal action of a 24-h infusion of levosimendan in heart failure. ⋯ Levosimendan infusion achieved a rapid improvement in haemodynamic parameters in patients with congestive heart failure with maximal effects occurring 1-3 days after starting the infusion, effects were sustained for up to at least a week.
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Eur. J. Heart Fail. · Nov 2006
Randomized Controlled TrialCardiogenic shock after primary percutaneous coronary intervention: Effects of levosimendan compared with dobutamine on haemodynamics.
Levosimendan is a new calcium sensitizer with positive inotropic properties. Cardiac power output (CPO) has been shown to be instrumental in the diagnosis of cardiogenic shock (CS) and is an important determinant of outcomes. ⋯ The primary objective of our study was achieved better by the end of the 24 h infusion of levosimendan than by dobutamine.
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Eur. J. Heart Fail. · Aug 2005
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative StudyThe Ca2+-sensitizer levosimendan improves oxidative damage, BNP and pro-inflammatory cytokine levels in patients with advanced decompensated heart failure in comparison to dobutamine.
To investigate the effect of a new inotropic drug, levosimendan compared with dobutamine on levels of brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), and malondialdehyde (MDA) in patients with severe decompensated heart failure. ⋯ Treatment with levosimendan in advanced decompensated heart failure exerts a beneficial hemodynamic, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effect. These findings may give an insight into the favourable impact on mortality that levosimendan appears to have in published multicenter trials.
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Eur. J. Heart Fail. · Mar 2005
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical TrialRandomised controlled trial of cardiac rehabilitation in elderly patients with heart failure.
Heart failure, a condition predominantly affecting the elderly, represents an ever-increasing clinical and financial burden for the NHS. Cardiac rehabilitation, a service that incorporates patient education, exercise training and lifestyle modification, requires further evaluation in heart failure management. ⋯ Cardiac rehabilitation, already widely established in the UK, offers an effective model of care for older patients with heart failure.