Related Experiment Video

Updated: Feb 12, 2026

Author Spotlight: Investigating HR-Dependent Cardiac Function in Mouse Models Through a Novel Atrial-Pacing Approach
07:49

Author Spotlight: Investigating HR-Dependent Cardiac Function in Mouse Models Through a Novel Atrial-Pacing Approach

Published on: July 21, 2023

2.0K

Novel drugs for heart rate control in heart failure

Agata Bielecka-Dabrowa1, Stephan von Haehling2, Jacek Rysz3

  • 1Department of Hypertension, Chair of Nephrology and Hypertension, Medical University of Lodz, Zeromskiego 113, 90-549, Lodz, Poland. agatbiel7@poczta.onet.pl.

Heart Failure Reviews
|March 30, 2018
PubMed

Insights

Ivabradine effectively lowers heart rate in heart failure patients, improving outcomes in some trials. However, its benefit in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) remains uncertain, necessitating further research.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Increased sympathetic activity and elevated heart rate (HR) are linked to poor cardiovascular outcomes, especially in heart failure (HF).
  • Ivabradine selectively reduces HR without impacting myocardial contractility, blood pressure, or cardiac conduction.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the efficacy of ivabradine in improving cardiovascular outcomes in patients with heart failure.
  • To investigate the role of HR reduction with ivabradine in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF).

Main Methods:

  • Review of clinical trials (BEAUTIFUL, CARVIVA HF, SHIFT, INTENSIFY) in systolic heart failure.
  • Analysis of a diabetes mouse model of HFpEF.
  • Examination of the EDIFY trial results for HFpEF patients.

Main Results:

  • Ivabradine demonstrated positive outcomes in prior trials for systolic dysfunction.
  • A meta-analysis showed neutral results.
  • In a HFpEF mouse model, ivabradine improved cardiac function and vascular stiffness.
  • The EDIFY trial did not support ivabradine use in HFpEF patients.

Conclusions:

  • While ivabradine shows promise for certain heart failure populations, its benefit in HFpEF is not established.
  • Further clinical trials are warranted to clarify the role of ivabradine in diverse heart failure phenotypes.

Keywords:
Heart failureHeart rateIvabradine

More Related Videos

Gene Transfer for Ischemic Heart Failure in a Preclinical Model07:35

Gene Transfer for Ischemic Heart Failure in a Preclinical Model

Published on: May 15, 2011

13.4K
Author Spotlight: Workflow for Integrating POCUS Data into EHR for Managing Heart Failure Patients03:47

Author Spotlight: Workflow for Integrating POCUS Data into EHR for Managing Heart Failure Patients

Published on: July 12, 2024

1.2K

Related Concept Videos

Heart Failure Drugs: Diuretics01:22

Heart Failure Drugs: Diuretics

Heart failure and kidney perfusion are interconnected in a complex way. Reduced renal perfusion and venous congestion are two significant factors that contribute to renal dysfunction in heart failure. The kidneys, primarily responsible for fluid balance in the body, are adversely affected due to compromised cardiac output and increased venous pressure. In response to reduced renal perfusion, the kidneys activate neurohumoral mechanisms to restore balance. However, these mechanisms can be...
1.0K
Heart Failure Drugs: Inotropic Agents01:26

Heart Failure Drugs: Inotropic Agents

Positive inotropic agents are commonly used as the first line of treatment for heart failure. One such agent is digoxin, derived from the genus Digitalis, which has been known for centuries but effectively utilized since 1785. However, these cardiac glycosides can have potentially toxic effects due to their mechanism of action, which involves inhibiting Na+/K+-ATPase and increasing contractility. Digoxin is absorbed orally and distributed in various tissues, including the CNS. It has a long...
1.6K
Heart Failure Drugs: β-Blockers01:22

Heart Failure Drugs: β-Blockers

β-adrenergic antagonists, commonly known as β-blockers, block the effects of sympathetic neurotransmitters such as noradrenaline (NA) and adrenaline (ADR). They have several beneficial effects in heart failure treatment. They reduce heart rate, the force of contraction, and cardiac muscle relaxation. They also slow the atrial-ventricular conduction rate and raise the threshold for arrhythmias. The concentration of β-blockers determines their effects on bronchodilation,...
980
Heart Failure II: Pathophysiology01:29

Heart Failure II: Pathophysiology

Systolic Heart Failure and Compensatory MechanismsSystolic heart failure (also termed HFrEF, Heart Failure with Reduced Ejection Fraction) is the most prevalent type of heart filure. It results in a decreased volume of blood being pumped from the ventricle. The aortic arch and carotid sinuses have baroreceptors that detect reduced blood pressure, triggering the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) to release epinephrine and norepinephrine. Initially, this response aims to boost heart rate and...
1.0K
Heart Failure Drugs: Inhibitors of Renin-Angiotensin System01:26

Heart Failure Drugs: Inhibitors of Renin-Angiotensin System

The activation of the sympathetic nervous system and the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) contributes to cardiac remodeling, and inhibiting the RAAS is a pharmacological target in heart failure management. As a result, neurohumoral modulation is a crucial treatment principle for managing heart failure. This approach involves using medications like ACE inhibitors (ACEIs), angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs), β-blockers, mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (MRAs), and neutral...
1.2K
Pathophysiology of Heart Failure01:17

Pathophysiology of Heart Failure

Heart failure (HF) is a progressive syndrome involving ventricles that leads to inadequate cardiac output. It can be classified based on location and output or ejection fraction. Ejection fraction (EF) is an essential measurement in the diagnosis and surveillance of HF. Reduced EF corresponds to systolic heart failure (HFrEF). However, HF with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is becoming increasingly prevalent. Also known as diastolic HF, this form of HF is related to aging. The...
4.0K