Ivabradine, a “sinus node inhibitor”, is now marketed in 27 European countries for the symptomatic treatment of chronic stable angina pectoris in patients with normal sinus rhythm who have a contraindication or intolerance to beta-blockers.
Ivabradine is at pure heart rate-lowering agent. Ivabradine works selectivily on the sinus node and has no effect on intracardiac conduction, myocardial contractility or ventricular repolarization. Unlike beta-blockers, the most common current treatment for angina, Procoralan is free from sexual disturbances, respiratory side effects caused by constriction or spasm of the airways, bradycardia or rebound phenomena.
