Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41133649›Full record

ReviewMedicines (Basel, Switzerland)2025

Levosimendan in Decompensated Heart Failure with Reduced Ejection Fraction in Older Adults: A Systematic Review of Safety and Efficacy.

Esteban Zavaleta-Monestel, Jeaustin Mora-Jiménez, Kevin Cruz-Mora, Ernesto Martinez-Vargas, José Pablo Díaz-Madriz, Sebastián Arguedas-Chacón, Abigail Fallas-Mora, Carlos Wu-Chin, Jose Miguel Chaverrí-Fernandez

Abstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in Medicines (Basel, Switzerland), 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

9 authors.

Esteban Zavaleta-MonestelHealth Research Department, Clínica Bíblica, San José 1307-1000, Costa Rica.ORCID 0000-0003-3726-0079
Jeaustin Mora-JiménezPharmacy Department, Clínica Bíblica, San José 1307-1000, Costa Rica.ORCID 0009-0001-0543-2262
Kevin Cruz-MoraPharmacy Department, Clínica Bíblica, San José 1307-1000, Costa Rica.ORCID 0009-0006-7272-1642
Ernesto Martinez-VargasPharmacy Department, Clínica Bíblica, San José 1307-1000, Costa Rica.
José Pablo Díaz-MadrizPharmacy Department, Clínica Bíblica, San José 1307-1000, Costa Rica.
Sebastián Arguedas-ChacónHealth Research Department, Clínica Bíblica, San José 1307-1000, Costa Rica.ORCID 0000-0001-8547-7745
Abigail Fallas-MoraPharmacy Department, Clínica Bíblica, San José 1307-1000, Costa Rica.ORCID 0000-0002-1857-5385
Carlos Wu-ChinDepartment of Critical Medicine and Intensive Care, Clínica Bíblica, San José 1307-1000, Costa Rica.
Jose Miguel Chaverrí-FernandezPharmacy Department, University of Costa Rica, San José 11501-2060, Costa Rica.ORCID 0000-0002-8367-7740

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

BACKGROUND/

objectivesHeart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) is a leading cause of hospitalization and functional decline in older adults, accounting for over 80% of all heart failure cases. Given the narrow therapeutic window of currently available inotropes and the vulnerability of this population, levosimendan has been proposed as a potential alternative. This systematic review aimed to evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of levosimendan in older adults with decompensated HFrEF.

methodsA systematic search of PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and the Cochrane Library was conducted between January and May 2025, following PRISMA 2020 guidelines. The review was registered in PROSPERO (CRD420251032329). Of 379 articles initially identified, 8 studies (randomized, observational, and single-arm designs) enrolling patients aged ≥65 years with decompensated HFrEF met the inclusion criteria. Study quality was assessed using the Cochrane RoB-2 tool and JBI Critical Appraisal Checklists. No meta-analysis was performed due to heterogeneity in study designs, populations, and interventions.

resultsA total of 2838 patients were analyzed. Levosimendan was associated with short-term improvements in hemodynamic parameters, including an increase in cardiac index (from 1.65 to 2.37 L/min/m

conclusionsLevosimendan may improve short-term hemodynamic parameters in older adults with decompensated HFrEF, but the available evidence is limited and heterogeneous. Its effects on mortality and rehospitalization remain inconclusive. Clinical use should be individualized and closely monitored, particularly in frail patients.

Indexed as

decompensated heart failureefficacygeriatricsheart failure with reduced ejection fractionlevosimendanolder adultssafety

Identifiers

PMID41133649
PMCPMC12551075

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.