New drug fights heart failure.A drug called levosimendan, in combination with standard drugs, eases symptoms in patients hospitalized for heart failure better than do those drugs alone, scientists report. Heart failure, which affects 5 million people in the United States United States, officially United States of America, republic (2005 est. pop. 295,734,000), 3,539,227 sq mi (9,166,598 sq km), North America. The United States is the world's third largest country in population and the fourth largest country in area. , is marked by the organ's inability to beat vigorously. Patients with the condition often experience shortness of breath Shortness of Breath Definition Shortness of breath, or dyspnea, is a feeling of difficult or labored breathing that is out of proportion to the patient's level of physical activity. , shakiness, weakness, and sweating. In the new study, researchers identified 600 such patients whose symptoms had gotten so bad that they were admitted to hospitals, in the United States, Australia, and Israel. All received standard medical care. To start the study, half also got a 24-hour infusion of levosimendan, and half got a placebo infusion. During the first 5 days, one-third more of the levosimendan recipients than the others showed reductions in symptoms, says Milton Packer packer /pack·er/ (pak´er) an instrument for introducing a dressing into a cavity or a wound. pack·er n. 1. An instrument for tamponing. 2. See plugger. , a physician at the University of Texas-Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas. Levosimendan dilates blood vessels Blood vessels Tubular channels for blood transport, of which there are three principal types: arteries, capillaries, and veins. Only the larger arteries and veins in the body bear distinct names. to improve blood flow and increases the heart's sensitivity to calcium, which intensifies contractions contractions Obstetrics Volleys of tightening and shortening of myometrium–uterine muscle, which occur during labor, cause dilatation and thinning of the cervix and aid in the descent of the infant in the birth canal. See Labor. Cf Decelerations. and boosts pumping capacity. |
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