Heart Rate Reduction Strategy Improves Survival in Children with Severe Dilated Cardiomyopathy

Abstract

Purpose Assess the long term cardiovascular outcomes of heart rate reduction strategy (HRR) using ivabradine in children with chronic heart failure (HF). Background Chronic heart failure (HF) due to dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) remains a significant medical challenge in pediatric population. There is paucity of evidence about pharmacological management of this population. Methods We conducted a retrospective cohort study including all children with end stage dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) with LV function Results 72 children were included in the study and 23 treated with HRR strategy. After 1 year, HRR strategy was able to reduce heart rate [from 109.2 ± 26.4 bpm to 79.04 ± 18.8 bpm (p Conclusion Treatment with HRR strategy, in addition to standard HF therapy, seemed to be effective in reducing the incidence of acute adverse events and improving ventricular function in children with DCM and chronic HF.