ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: Our prospective, randomized, open-label study assessed the efficacy of a heart rate-lowering, adjusted-dose protocol with ivabradine prior to coronary computed tomographic angiography (CCTA). METHODS: Patients undergoing CCTA were randomized to 7 days of adjusted-dose ivabradine or standard care (ie, no additional medication). Heart rate and ß-blocker and antianxiety medication use on the day of the CCTA were recorded. RESULTS: One hundred one patients were randomized (mean age, 60 [SD, 13] years; 66% women). Significantly more patients on ivabradine had heart rates of 60 beats per minute or less at the time of the CCTA scan (48% vs 8%, P < 0.01); accordingly, fewer patients on ivabradine needed additional heart rate lowering with ß-blockers (40% vs 86%, P < 0.01), as well as antianxiety medication (18% vs 39%, P < 0.05), and also required lower doses of intravenous ß-blockers (4 [SD, 2] vs 7 [SD, 5] mg, P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: A 7-day premedication protocol with ivabradine effectively lowers heart rate in patients undergoing CCTA.
