Guerrero Orriach, Jose LuisNavarro Arce, I.Hernandez Rodriguez, P.Raigón Ponferrada, A.Malo Manso, A.Ramirez Aliaga, M.Ramirez Fernandez, A.Escalona Belmonte, J.J.Bellido Estevez, I.Gomez Luque, A.Barrera Serrano, R.Toledo Medina, C.S.Rubio Navarro, M.Cruz Mañas, J.2020-10-222020-10-222019-11-17Guerrero Orriach JL, Navarro Arce I, Hernandez Rodriguez P, Raigón Ponferrada A, Malo Manso A, Ramirez Aliaga M, et al. Preservation of renal function in cardiac surgery patients with low cardiac output syndrome: levosimendan vs beta agonists. BMC Anesthesiol. 2019 Nov 17;19(1):212.http://hdl.handle.net/10668/3193Background: Some studies have been performed to assess the effects of levosimendan on cardiac function when administered to cardiac surgery patients with low cardiac output syndrome (LCOS) in the immediate postoperative period. Levosimendan is an inotropic agent for the treatment of low cardiac output syndrome that seems to have a protective effect on renal function. Methods: It is a quasi-experimental study. A total of 100 patients with LCOS received either beta-agonists or levosimendan. We assessed the incidence of postoperative kidney failure in cardiac surgery patients. In patients who had kidney failure at diagnosis of LCOS, we examined whether differences existed in the evolution of kidney failure based on the treatment administered for LCOS. The parameters measured included haemodynamics, oxygen supply, and renal function as assessed by the AKI scale. ANOVA, Student's t-test and Wilcoxon or Friedman tests were used. Results: Up to 30% of cardiac surgery patients had kidney failure at diagnosis of LCOS. Kidney failure at discharge from the ICU was more frequent in patients who received beta-agonist drugs as compared to those who received levosimendan (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The incidence of kidney failure decreased with the postoperative administration of levosimendan to cardiac surgery patients with LCOS, as compared to beta-agonists. Trial registration: Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN 46058317. Date of registration: 7/10/2019. Retrospectively registered.enLevosimendanLow cardiac outputKidneyCardiac surgerySimendánGasto cardíaco bajoRiñónCirugía torácicaMedical Subject Headings::Chemicals and Drugs::Chemical Actions and Uses::Pharmacologic Actions::Molecular Mechanisms of Pharmacological Action::Neurotransmitter Agents::Adrenergic Agents::Adrenergic Agonists::Adrenergic beta-AgonistsMedical Subject Headings::Persons::Persons::Age Groups::Adult::AgedMedical Subject Headings::Persons::Persons::Age Groups::Adult::Aged::Aged, 80 and overMedical Subject Headings::Diseases::Cardiovascular Diseases::Heart Diseases::Cardiac Output, LowMedical Subject Headings::Analytical, Diagnostic and Therapeutic Techniques and Equipment::Surgical Procedures, Operative::Cardiovascular Surgical Procedures::Cardiac Surgical ProceduresMedical Subject Headings::Chemicals and Drugs::Chemical Actions and Uses::Pharmacologic Actions::Therapeutic Uses::Cardiovascular Agents::Cardiotonic AgentsMedical Subject Headings::Check Tags::FemaleMedical Subject Headings::Organisms::Eukaryota::Animals::Chordata::Vertebrates::Mammals::Primates::Haplorhini::Catarrhini::Hominidae::HumansMedical Subject Headings::Analytical, Diagnostic and Therapeutic Techniques and Equipment::Investigative Techniques::Epidemiologic Methods::Data Collection::Vital Statistics::Morbidity::IncidenceMedical Subject Headings::Check Tags::MaleMedical Subject Headings::Persons::Persons::Age Groups::Adult::Middle AgedMedical Subject Headings::Diseases::Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms::Pathologic Processes::Postoperative ComplicationsMedical Subject Headings::Diseases::Male Urogenital Diseases::Urologic Diseases::Kidney Diseases::Renal InsufficiencyMedical Subject Headings::Diseases::Female Urogenital Diseases and Pregnancy Complications::Female Urogenital Diseases::Urologic Diseases::Kidney Diseases::Renal Insufficiencyresearch article31735161open access10.1186/s12871-019-0888-21471-2253PMC6859602