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Levosimendan Use Reduces Matrix Metalloproteinase-2 in Patients with Decompensated Heart Failure

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Summary

Background: Extracellular matrix metabolism (ECM) has an important role in left ventricular (LV) remodeling in chronic heart failure (CHF). Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are involved in the regulation of extracellular matrix (ECM) metabolism. We investigated the effect of levosimendan, a novel calcium sensitizer, on serum levels of MMP-2.

Methods: Our study population consisted of 60 consecutive patients with advanced heart failure who were admitted to hospital with an acute decompensation of their CHF. Patients were randomized to levosimendan (n = 30; 18 men, aged 65 ± 3 years) or placebo (n = 30; 15 men, aged 67 ± 4 years). Serum MMP-2 levels were assessed before and after treatment with levosimendan or placebo, using a commercially available ELISA.

Results: Serum levels of MMP-2 were reduced from 427 ng/ml 95%CI 372–484 to 371 ng/ml 95%CI 329–413 in the levosimendan treated group and from 433 ng/ml 95%CI 422–444 to 425 ng/ml 95%CI 414–436 in the placebo group. Repeated measurements ANOVA showed that treatment with levosimendan significantly affected levels of MMP-2 (p = 0.019).

Conclusions: The present study showed that levosimendan may beneficially affect ECM remodeling in patients with acutely decompensated CHF. Whether these effects translate into added clinical benefits, as suggested by an improved ejection fraction in the levosimendan group, deserves further investigation.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Cardiology Department, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece

    Dimitrios N. Tziakas, Georgios K. Chalikias, Helen I. Hatzinikolaou, Dimitrios A. Stakos & Dimitrios I. Hatseras

  2. 2nd Internal Medicine Department, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece

    Nikolaos Papanas & Efstratios Maltezos

  3. Biochemistry Department, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece

    Ioannis K. Tentes & Alexandros X. Kortsaris

  4. Cardiological Sciences Department, St George's Hospital Medical School, London, UK

    Juan Carlos Kaski

  5. Cardiology Department, Democritus University of Thrace, Voulgaroktonou 23, Alexandroupolis, Greece

    Dimitrios N. Tziakas

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  1. Dimitrios N. Tziakas
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  2. Georgios K. Chalikias
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  3. Helen I. Hatzinikolaou
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  4. Dimitrios A. Stakos
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  5. Nikolaos Papanas
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  6. Ioannis K. Tentes
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  7. Alexandros X. Kortsaris
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  8. Efstratios Maltezos
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  9. Dimitrios I. Hatseras
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  10. Juan Carlos Kaski
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Correspondence to Dimitrios N. Tziakas.

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Tziakas, D.N., Chalikias, G.K., Hatzinikolaou, H.I. et al. Levosimendan Use Reduces Matrix Metalloproteinase-2 in Patients with Decompensated Heart Failure. Cardiovasc Drugs Ther 19, 399–402 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10557-005-5417-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10557-005-5417-5

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