Coronary heart disease treatment: old principles and new horizons

Abstract

Basing on literature data, the authors demonstrate the link between heart rate (HR) and mortality in coronary heart disease (CHD) and arterial hypertension. HR reduction strategy as an important therapeutic target in CHD management is proposed. Ant-ischemic and antianginal mechanisms of a novel agent, ivabradine, selectively reducing HR due to sinus node f-channel ion current inhibition, are discussed. Clinical evidence of ivabradine effectiveness in stable angina, comparing to other modern antianginal medications, is presented. Potential benefits of ivabradine therapy in HR reduction-requiring clinical situations are discussed.

Keywords

• stable angina
• ivabradine
• if-current