Long-Term (3 Years) Outcomes of Ranolazine Therapy for Refractory Angina Pectoris (from the Ranolazine Refractory...

Ranolazine is approved for patients with chronic stable angina but has not been formally studied in patients with refractory angina pectoris (RAP). Patients with RAP have limited therapeutic options and significant limitations in their quality of life. The Ranolazine Refractory Angina Registry was designed to evaluate the safety, tolerability, and effectiveness of ranolazine in RAP patients in order to expand treatment options for this challenging patient population. Using an extensive prospective database, we enrolled 158 consecutive patients evaluated in a dedicated RAP clinic. Angina class, medications, major adverse cardiac events including death, myocardial infarction, and revascularization were obtained at 12, 24, and 36 months. At 3 years, 95 (60%) patients remained on ranolazine. A ≥2 class improvement in angina was seen in 48% (38 of 80 patients with known Canadian Cardiovascular Society class) of those who remained on ranolazine. Discontinuation due to side effects, ineffectiveness, cost, and progression of disease were the principle reasons for discontinuation, but primarily occurred within the first year. In conclusion, ranolazine is an effective antianginal therapy at 3-year follow-up in patients with RAP and may reduce cardiac readmission.