H D Nguyen1, B McKeown. 1. Intensive Care Unit, St John of God Hospital, Subiaco, Western Australia. hdnguyen@graduate.uwa.edu.au
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To describe the use of levosimendan, a novel inotropic agent, for the treatment of post-partum cardiomyopathy (PPCMO). METHODS: The authors present the second recorded use of levosimendan for a woman with PPCMO. RESULTS: Levosimendan improved cardiac performance which was associated with symptomatic relief and echocardiographic improvement in ventricular function. The patient recovered from this episode of acute cardiac failure and continues to show steady improvement in cardiac function. CONCLUSIONS: Levosimendan proved a useful agent when used as initial therapy in this case of PPCMO.
OBJECTIVE: To describe the use of levosimendan, a novel inotropic agent, for the treatment of post-partum cardiomyopathy (PPCMO). METHODS: The authors present the second recorded use of levosimendan for a woman with PPCMO. RESULTS:Levosimendan improved cardiac performance which was associated with symptomatic relief and echocardiographic improvement in ventricular function. The patient recovered from this episode of acute cardiac failure and continues to show steady improvement in cardiac function. CONCLUSIONS:Levosimendan proved a useful agent when used as initial therapy in this case of PPCMO.