Ivabradine heart failure research ‘is very convincing’

Recent research into the effect of the heart rate drug ivabradine on heart failure has been endorsed by a medical expert.

Dr Martin Cowie, professor of cardiology and consultant cardiologist at the Royal Brompton Hospital, has described a new Lancet-published study into the treatment as presenting a "very convincing" case for its wider use.

The trial of the drug, which is marketed by Servier under the name Procoralan, showed that fewer heart disease patients suffered serious adverse events when using ivabradine than those in a placebo control group.

It was suggested that this highlights the key role of heart rates in the pathophysiology of this disorder, a conclusion backed by Dr Cowie.

Although the treatment – which is widely used as an angina therapy – has not yet been licensed for the prevention of heart failure, the doctor suggested its use could help reduce rates of fatality and hospital admissions.

He added: "That is very convincing and most cardiologists would be very happy to consider adding that therapy for patients with heart failure if it is appropriate."