Long-Term Heart Rate Reduction Induced by the Selective <i>I</i> _f Current Inhibitor Ivabradine Improves Left Ventricular Function and Intrinsic Myocardial Structure in Congestive Heart Failure

Abstract

In rats with CHF, long-term HRR induced by the selective I(f) inhibitor ivabradine improves LV function and increases stroke volume, preserving cardiac output despite the HRR. The improvement of cardiac function is related not only to the HRR per se but also to modifications in the extracellular matrix and/or function of myocytes as a consequence of long-term HRR.