Abstract

A shortcut review was carried out to establish whether levosimendan improves outcome in septic shock. Eight studies were directly relevant to the question. The author, date and country of publication, patient groups studied, study type, relevant outcomes, results and study weaknesses of these papers are tabulated. The clinical bottom line is that there is as yet no evidence that levosimendan reduces mortality from septic shock. The LeoPARDS trial may change that.