Effect of early use of ivabradine on left ventricular remodeling after primary percutaneous coronary intervention in patients with acute ST‐segment elevation myocardial infarction: A pilot test

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of early use of ivabradine on left ventricular remodeling after primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients with acute ST‐segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). METHODS: A total of 66 STEMI patients with sinus rhythm and the resting heart rate ≥80 bpm after successful emergency PCI were included. The patients in the test group were treated with ivabradine combined with metoprolol at 12 hr after PCI, while the control group was given only metoprolol orally. Their resting heart rate was controlled to <70 bpm at discharge and followed for 180 days. Heart rate and blood pressure were measured regularly. Echocardiogram was performed. N‐terminal pro‐B‐type natriuretic peptide (NT‐proBNP), high sensitivity troponin T, high sensitivity troponin I, and high sensitivity C‐reactive protein were measured. The major adverse cardiovascular events during hospitalization and follow‐up period were recorded. RESULTS: Compared with the control group, the heart rate of the test group decreased significantly (p < .05). Compared with the control group, the left ventricular end‐diastolic volume and left ventricular end‐systolic volume were significantly decreased while left ventricular ejection fraction was significantly increased in the test group at 90 days after operation. NT‐proBNP of the test group was significantly lower than that of the control group at 7 days after operation (p < .05). CONCLUSION: For STEMI patients, early use of ivabradine combined with standard therapy such as β‐blocker after successful reperfusion can achieve effective heart rate control, with great safety and tolerance. But the effect of ivabradine on left ventricular remodeling is uncertain.