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Original article
Available online 30 October 2025
Impact of intermittent levosimendan treatment on quality of life in advanced heart failure patients
Impacto del tratamiento intermitente con levosimendán en la calidad de vida en pacientes con insuficiencia cardiaca avanzada
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Erwing Arturo Vargas Sáenz
, María Fernanda Marín Betancourt, César Marriaga Zárate, William Achury Mancera
Departamento de Cardiología, Fundación Clínica Shaio, Bogotá, Colombia
This item has received
Received 16 June 2025. Accepted 01 October 2025
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Table 1. General characteristics of patients upon admission.
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Table 2. Outpatient medical management of patients.
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Table 3. Baseline and second KCCQ scale scores.
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Abstract
Introduction and objectives

Advanced heart failure (AHF) is associated with high morbidity, mortality, and impaired quality of life (QoL), now recognized as a therapeutic target. Evidence for QoL-oriented interventions in AHF remains limited. This study evaluated changes in QoL and associated factors in patients receiving intermittent outpatient levosimendan infusion.

Methods

We conducted a historical cohort study including patients enrolled in an outpatient levosimendan program at a national referral center for heart failure in Colombia (April 2017–March 2024). QoL was measured with the 23-item Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire (KCCQ) at baseline and after ≥3 months of therapy, with follow-up stratified by time intervals. Clinical and demographic data were retrieved from electronic records. Associations were analyzed using Wilcoxon, chi-squared, and Mann–Whitney tests.

Results

A total of 73 patients were included (median age 72 years; 35.6% female). Baseline median KCCQ score was 61.1. Overall, 58.9% improved in QoL, with the largest gains between 3 and 6 months. Patients with more advanced disease at baseline showed greater benefit. The most responsive domains were physical function, symptom frequency, and overall QoL. Female sex, hypertension, and moderate renal dysfunction were associated with better response.

Conclusions

Intermittent outpatient levosimendan infusion was associated with significant and sustained QoL improvements in AHF, particularly during the first 6 months. These findings support the potential role of prolonged therapy beyond conventional short-term regimens.

Keywords:
Heart failure
Quality of life
Levosimendan
Outpatient inotropic therapy
Advanced heart failure
Resumen
Introducción y objetivos

La insuficiencia cardiaca avanzada (ICA) se asocia con alta morbilidad, mortalidad y una calidad de vida (CdV) deficiente. Este estudio evaluó los cambios en la CdV y los factores asociados en pacientes que recibieron terapia inotrópica ambulatoria con infusiones intermitentes de levosimendán.

Métodos

Se realizó un estudio de cohorte histórica en un centro de referencia colombiano entre abril de 2017 y marzo de 2024, en el que se evaluó la CdV mediante el cuestionario de cardiomiopatía de Kansas City (KCCQ) al inicio y después de al menos 3 meses de tratamiento, con seguimiento estratificado por tiempos. Los datos clínicos se obtuvieron de registros electrónicos y se analizó la asociación estadística mediante pruebas no paramétricas.

Resultados

Se incluyó a 73 pacientes (mediana de edad: 72 años; 35,6% mujeres). La mediana de la puntuación KCCQ basal fue 61,1. En total, el 58,9% presentó mejoría en la CdV, con mayores ganancias entre los 3 y 6 meses. Los dominios con más beneficio fueron función física, frecuencia de síntomas y CdV global. Los pacientes con enfermedad más sintomática o avanzada al inicio mostraron mayor respuesta. El sexo femenino, la hipertensión y la disfunción renal moderada se asociaron con mejor evolución.

Conclusiones

La infusión ambulatoria intermitente de levosimendán se asoció con mejoras significativas y sostenidas en la CdV de pacientes con ICA, especialmente durante los primeros 6 meses. Estos hallazgos respaldan el potencial del tratamiento prolongado más allá de los regímenes convencionales a corto plazo.

Palabras clave:
Insuficiencia cardiaca
Calidad de vida
Levosimendán
Tratamiento inotrópico ambulatorio
Insuficiencia cardiaca avanzada

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