Levosimendan Improves Neurological Outcome in a Swine Model of Asphyxial Cardiac Arrest.

Background: In asphyxial cardiac arrest, the severe hypoxic stress complicates the resuscitation efforts and results in poor neurological outcomes. Our aim was to assess the effects of levosimendan on a swine model of asphyxial cardiac arrest.

Methods: Asphyxial cardiac arrest was induced in 20 Landrace/Large White piglets, which were subsequently left untreated for four minutes.