[Effect of levosimendan on B-type natriuretic peptide levels in patients with advanced heart failure: a meta-analysis].

OBJECTIVE:To conduct a meta-analysis of the effect of levosimendan on B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels and evaluate the therapeutic effect of levosimendan on advanced heart failure. METHODS:A meta-analysis was performed on the selected data to analyze the effect of levosimendan on BNP levels. RESULTS:Levosimendan decreased BNP by a mean of 337.66 [95%CI (-296.30, -379.02)] pg/ml 24 h after the administration, and by 259.92 [95%CI (-195.76, -324.08)] pg/ml at 48 h, and by 123.09 [95%CI(-53.32,-195.86)] pg/ml at 1 week. Levosimendan resulted in improvements of the cardiac function by about 29%, 22%, and 10% at 24 h, 48 h and 1 week after the administration. CONCLUSION:Levosimendan produces favorable effects on the cardiac functions and BNP levels.