[Effect of ivabradine on pulmonary hypertension in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease].

In order to assess effect of If-channel blocker ivabradine on severity of pulmonary hypertension in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) we studied 60 patients with III-IV stage COPD. We divided these patients into 2 groups with similar clinical characteristics and therapy. Patients of one of these groups received ivabradine (10 mg/day) for 2 weeks, patients of another served as controls. The use of ivabradine was associated with statistically significant lowering of pulmonary hypertension, heart rate, and increase of exercise tolerance without negative effects on myocardial contractility, electrophysiological parameters, or data of spirometry.