Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 6, 2026

Isolation and Functional Characterization of Human Ventricular Cardiomyocytes from Fresh Surgical Samples
Published on: April 21, 2014
[Ivabradine in coronary heart disease: experimental and clinical pharmacology]
Atul Pathak1, Alain Berdeaux, Paul Mulder
1Service de Pharmacologie Clinique, Inserm U 858, Faculté de Médecine, Toulouse, France. pathak@cict.fr
Insights
Ivabradine effectively reduces heart rate, offering anti-ischemic benefits without impacting hemodynamics. Clinical trials show its efficacy in managing ischemic heart disease and heart failure, alone or with beta-blockers.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Ischemic heart disease management requires effective heart rate reduction.
- Ivabradine selectively inhibits the I(f) current, reducing heart rate.
- Clinical evidence supports ivabradine's role in managing ischemic heart disease.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review clinical evidence on ivabradine's role in ischemic heart disease.
- To assess ivabradine's anti-ischemic and prognostic efficacy.
- To evaluate combination therapy benefits with beta-blockers.
Main Methods:
- Review of clinical evidence and ongoing large-scale studies (BEAUTIFUL, SIGNIFY, SHIFT).
- Analysis of heart rate reduction effects.
- Assessment of hemodynamic and myocardial contractility impact.
Main Results:
- Ivabradine demonstrates anti-ischemic efficacy by reducing heart rate.
- No adverse effects on hemodynamics or myocardial contractility observed.
- Comparable or superior antianginal efficacy to conventional agents.
- Combination therapy with beta-blockers shows substantial benefit.
Conclusions:
- Ivabradine is a valuable therapeutic option for ischemic heart disease.
- Its heart rate-lowering effect provides anti-ischemic benefits.
- Ongoing trials will further define its prognostic role in various cardiac conditions.
Abstract:
The present paper reviews clinical evidence underlining the role of ivabradine in the management of patient with ischemic heart disease. Reduction in heart rate mediated by this selective I(f) current inhibitor has been associated with anti-ischemic efficacy without any effect on haemodynamic or myocardial contractility. The antianginal efficacy of ivabradine is similar or superior to that of conventional anti-ischemic agents. Moreover combination therapy with ivabradine provides substantial benefit in patients already receiving beta-blocker. Prognostic efficacy of ivabradine is evaluated in a large program of studies, among which BEAUTIFUL in coronary patients with left ventricular dysfunction. The SIGNIFY study is ongoing in stable coronary patients without ventricular dysfunction. Furthermore the SHIFT trial will evaluate ivabradine benefits in heart failure patients, whatever the origin, ischemic or not.
More Related Videos
10:05Testing the Efficacy of Pharmacological Agents in a Pericardial Target Delivery Model in the Swine
Published on: July 7, 2016
05:41Left Anterior Descending Coronary Artery Ligation for Ischemia-Reperfusion Research: Model Improvement via Technical Modifications and Quality Control
Published on: December 16, 2022
Related Concept Videos
Antiarrhythmic Drugs: Class II Agents as β-Adrenergic Blockers
Antiarrhythmic Drugs: Class III Agents as Potassium Channel Blockers
Antiarrhythmic Drugs: Class I Agents as Sodium Channel Blockers
Class 1A Antiarrhythmic Drugs: These drugs work by moderately blocking sodium channels,...
Antiarrhythmic Drugs: Class IV Agents as Calcium Channel Blockers
Verapamil, a calcium channel blocker, inhibits calcium movement across myocardial cell membranes and vascular smooth muscle. This results in the dilation of coronary and...
Acute Coronary Syndrome III: Diagnostic Studies
Heart Failure Drugs: Inotropic Agents