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Effects of Levosimendan on Diaphragm Function in Mechanically Ventilated Patients

Phase 2
Conditions
Weaning Failure
Muscle Weakness Conditions
Interventions
Drug: Placebo
Registration Number
NCT01721434
Lead Sponsor
University Medical Center Nijmegen
Brief Summary

Levosimendan is a relatively new drug that improves cardiac contractility in patients with heart failure. Its main mechanism of action is enhanced binding of calcium to the myocardial contractile proteins. Recent data from our lab showed that levosimendan improves contractility of human diaphragm in vitro (muscle fibers from COPD patient diaphragm) and in vivo (healthy subjects). Accordingly, levosimendan may appear of value in the treatment of disorders associated with impaired respiratory muscle function, such as mechanically ventilated patients.We hypothesize that levosimendan could improve respiratory muscle function in mechanically ventilated patients commencing a CPAP trial.

Detailed Description

Not available

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
UNKNOWN
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
42
Inclusion Criteria
  • mechanical ventilation > 3 days
  • informed consent
  • able to sustain a CPAP trial for 30 minutes
  • PaO2/FiO2 ratio > 200 mmHg
  • ventilatory settings: positive end expiratory pressure <= 10 cmH2O, pressure support <= 10 cmH2O
Exclusion Criteria
  • pre-existent muscle disease (congenital or acquired) or diseases/disorders known to be associated with myopathy including auto-immune diseases
  • pre-existent cardiac disease (based on history, electrocardiography and transthoracic echocardiography)
  • upper airway/esophageal pathology (i.e. recent surgery, esophageal varices, diaphragmatic hernia)
  • phrenic nerve lesions
  • pregnancy, breast feeding
  • severe renal failure (serum creatinine > 150 umol/L)
  • severe hepatic failure
  • recent (within 5 days) nasal bleeding
  • systolic blood pressure < 120 mmHg

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
PlaceboPlaceboSimilar coloured placebo intravenous for a single 7 hours
LevosimendanLevosimendanLevosimendan 0.2 ug/kg/min intravenous for a single 7 hours.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Neuro-mechanical efficiency of the diaphragmArtefact-free periode in the last 10 minutes of each CPAP trial

The primary outcome measure is the neuro-mechanical efficiency(i.e. the ratio of diaphragm electrical activity and transdiaphragmatic pressure) of the diaphragm during a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) trial.

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Oxygen consumption (VO2)Artefact-free periode in the last 10 minutes of each CPAP trial

A secondary outcome measure is the oxygen consumption during a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) trial.

Neuro-ventilatory efficiency of the diaphragmArtefact-free periode in the last 10 minutes of each CPAP trial

A secondary outcome measure is the neuro-ventilatory efficiency (i.e. the ratio of diaphragm electrical activity and tidal volume) during a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) trial.

Partial pressure of carbon dioxide in arterial blood (PaCO2)Last minute of the 30 minute CPAP trial

A secondary outcome measure is the PaCO2 at the and of a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) trial.

Partial pressure of oxygen in arterial blood (PaO2)Last minute of the 30 minute CPAP trial

A secondary outcome measure is the PaO2 at the end of a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) trial.

Carbon dioxide production (VCO2)Artefact-free periode in the last 10 minutes of each CPAP trial

A secondary outcome measure is the carbon dioxide production during a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) trial.

Accessory respiratory muscle activityMeasured during a one hour protocol after the second CPAP trial.

To determine the effects of levosimendan on accessory respiratory muscle function, ventilator settings are adapted after the last CPAP-trial.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre

🇳🇱

Nijmegen, Gelderland, Netherlands

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