Heart failure (HF) is the fourth-most frequent cause of death and remains a challenge for public health. Therapy goals for HF with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) are the improvement in the quality of life, prolonged survival, a reduction of signs and symptoms, and the prevention of hospitalization. Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, beta-blockers, and mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists are the treatments of choice for HFrEF. Although ivabradine is not available in all countries, it is likely a new promising approach to improve outcomes in patients with HFrEF, either alone or with beta-blockers. Here, we review the current knowledge about ivabradine in HFrEF and assess its effect on outcomes in HF.
Keywords: heart failure; heart failure decompensation; heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (hfref); heart rate; ivabradine; mortality; nyha functional class; rehospitalization.