Treatment of acute heart failure using levosimendan for a patient with dilated cardiomyopathy, chronic renal failure, and hypertension.

The clinical and hemodynamic effects of compassionate therapy with levosimendan were evaluated in a 14-year-old patient with end-stage renal disease and arterial hypertension secondary to glycogenosis type Ia. The patient previously had normal heart function but experienced acute development of severe myocardial dysfunction resistant to diuretic therapy and inotropic support. Levosimendan administration was followed by a marked clinical and echocardiographic improvement. The authors believe that levosimendan may be useful for cases of resistant acute heart failure with arterial hypertension. Although administration of levosimendan is not recommended for patients with chronic renal disease, no adverse effect was observed. Therapeutic action for these patients seems to last longer than for patients with a normal kidney.