Effects of levosimendan on TNF-alpha, BNP and MMP-1 in patients with heart failure with anemia.

Background: Levosimendan is known with its two-sided effects of strengthening myofibril contraction without increasing myocardial oxygen demand. Anemia is a deteriorating situation that causes increase of drug dosing in patients with heart failure.

Objectives: In this study, we compared the effectiveness of levosimendan treatment in decompensated heart failure patients with or without anemia.