Effects of Levosimendan Pretreatment in Patients With Low Ejection Fraction (40 % or Less) Undergoing CABG: a Randomised, Double Blind, Multicenter Trial

Background: Patients with an ejection fraction of less than 40% are at high risk of developing postoperative low cardiac output syndrome (LCOS). Despite the use of potent inotropic agents or even ventricular mechanical assist devices, the mortality rate of such patients remains very high (from 17 to 38%). Their hospital stay is also prolonged and the cost of care for this population is increased. Two studies have suggested that post-operative administration of levosimendan could reduce hospital length of stay and long term (Day180) mortality in patients with LCOS. In addition a few studies have also suggested that pre-operative infusion of levosimendan (pre-conditioning) could reduce the use of other inotropes and mechanical assist devices in patients at high risk of developing LCOS. Unfortunately, the data supporting the beneficial effects of levosimendan in high risk cardiac surgery patients is very limited. Main goal: To evaluate the efficacy of a pre-operative infusion of levosimendan in high risk patients (EF less than 40%) undergoing cardiac surgery (CABG or combined surgery: CABG and valve replacement) to improve outcome. Secondary goals: To evaluate: 1) the clinical safety of a pre-operative infusion of levosimendan, 2) the costs of care in the levosimendan and control groups. Experimental setup: Prospective, multicenter, randomized versus placebo, double-blind trial. Treatment modalities: levosimendan will be administered by the intravenous route, according to a continuous infusion of 0.1mcg/kg/min over 24 hours. Levosimendan infusion (0.1mcg/kg/min) will be started immediately after induction of anaesthesia. The delay between infusion start and skin incision can be estimated between 30 to 60 min. The investigators decided to skip the bolus infusion that is frequently associated with systemic hypotension, which may result in serious adverse events and protocol exclusion. Study duration and patient follow-up: Patients will be recruited over 23 months. Individual follow-up will last 6 months. Overall duration of study will be 29 months.