Long-term Effect of Ivabradine Treatment on MI-induced LV remodeling

What is it about?

A large myocardial infarction (MI) initiates progressive cardiac remodeling that leads to systolic heart failure. We have previously demonstrated that long-term heart rate reduction with a selective cardiac pacemaker (If) current inhibitor ivabradine improved cardiac function and myocardial blood perfusion in post-MI middle-aged rats. The beneficial effects of ivabradine treatment were associated with attenuated fibrosis in the surviving myocardium and inhibition of the circulatory renin-angiotensin system. In our current study we have analyzed a sustainability of these positive changes, particularly, after a short period of IVA treatment interruption. Our data revealed that although beneficial structural changes induced by ivabradine treatment in post-MI myocardium could be sustainable for a long period of time they could not prevent deterioration of cardiac function after withdrawal of treatment. Therefore, we believe that continuing treatment with ivabradine is crucial for the prevention of heart failure progression in patients with a large MI.

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Why is it important?

The results of our study is important for a more effective management protocol of the patients with systolic heart failure.