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Updated: Jun 26, 2026

Utilizing Percutaneous Ventricular Assist Devices in Acute Myocardial Infarction Complicated by Cardiogenic Shock
Published on: June 12, 2021
Ivabradine: cardiovascular effects
Andrea Rognoni1, Marzia Bertolazzi, Sergio Macciò
1Catheterization Laboratory, Division of Cardiology, Saint Andrea Hospital, 13100 Vercelli, Italy. arognoni@hotmail.com
Insights
Ivabradine selectively inhibits the If current in the sino-atrial node, lowering heart rate without affecting cardiac contractility. This mechanism improves cardiac function and stroke volume, offering benefits in various cardiovascular conditions.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Ivabradine is a selective If current inhibitor targeting the sino-atrial node.
- It offers a unique mechanism for heart rate reduction without impacting cardiac contractility or vascular tone.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the cardiovascular effects of ivabradine.
- To summarize recent patents and clinical trial outcomes related to ivabradine.
Main Methods:
- Review of experimental and clinical studies on ivabradine.
- Analysis of patent literature and clinical trial data.
Main Results:
- Ivabradine induces dose-dependent heart rate reduction without adverse effects on atrio-ventricular conduction or ventricular function.
- Studies demonstrate efficacy in chronic stable angina, post-myocardial infarction remodeling, and coronary blood flow.
- Ivabradine shows a favorable safety profile compared to beta-blockers.
Conclusions:
- Ivabradine is an effective and safe agent for heart rate management in cardiovascular diseases.
- Its unique pharmacological profile offers therapeutic advantages, particularly in conditions requiring heart rate control.
Abstract:
Ivabradine (a compound of the benzocyclobutane) is a highly selective I(f) current inhibitor acting directly on the sino-atrial node, induces a rapid, sustained and dose-dependent reduction of heart rate at rest and during exercise without a significant effect on atrio-ventricular conduction, left ventricular contraction/relaxation or vascular tissues. These properties associated with an improvement in left ventricular loading related to bradycardia resulted in an increase in stroke volume and preservation in cardiac output even during exercise. Various experimental and clinical studies showed the efficacy of ivabradine in patients with chronic stable angina, on heart rate reduction, on ventricular remodelling after acute myocardial infarction and on coronary blood flow. The safety of ivabradine has been documented in several studies and clinical trials, in contrast to beta-blockers, no significant side effects were expressed in the literature. The aim of our review is to describe ivabradine and its cardiovascular effects and outline some recent patents and the results of the most important trials.
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