Treatment of serious calcium channel blocker overdose with levosimendan, a calcium sensitizer.
case_report · Level V
Where this comes from
- Record sourced from PubMed, PMID 19224785.
- Also identified by DOI 10.1213/ane.0b013e3181931737.
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Abstract
Calcium channel blocker (CCB) overdose is often lethal. Conventional medical treatment includes i.v. calcium, high doses of catecholamines, insulin, and glucagon. A new inotropic drug, levosimendan, should be considered in severe CCB poisoning. Levosimendan's pharmacologic features differ from other inotropic drugs. It is a calcium sensitizer and improves contraction without increasing intracytosolic calcium concentration. We describe two patients with serious CCB overdose. Despite intensive medical and mechanical cardiovascular support, both patients remained in shock. Hemodynamics gradually improved after administration of levosimendan.
Medical subject headings
- Calcium Channel Blockers
- Cardiotonic Agents
- Hydrazones
- Pyridazines