Shorter Weaning From Invasive Ventilation With Levosimendan

Summary

Prolonged weaning from mechanical ventilation is a common and serious challenge in the ICU, associated with increased morbidity, mortality, and length of stay. Diaphragm dysfunction plays a key role in weaning failure, and current strategies to support respiratory muscle function are limited. Levosimendan is a calcium sensitizer that enhances cardiac and skeletal muscle contractility, including the diaphragm, without increasing oxygen demand. The investigators hypothesize that treatment with Levosimendan in difficult-to-wean ICU patients will improve diaphragm function and thereby shorten the duration of mechanical ventilation compared to placebo.

Timeline

Start

2025-09-17

Primary completion

2027-08-01

Completion

2028-08-01

Publications

• De Leijer E, Hofma C, Serpa Neto A, Hunfeld NGM, Schultz MJ, Doorduin J, Heunks L. Weaning from invasive ventilation with levosimendan (WEANLESS): study protocol for a multicentre randomised clinical trial. BMJ Open. 2026 May 20;16(5):e117615. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2026-117615.

Drugs

Indications

No indication recorded.