Effects of ivabradine and atenolol on heart rate and heart rate variability in healthy cats over a 24 h period: A pilot study

• Published in: Veterinary record open 2022-12, Vol.9 (1), p.e28-n/a
• Main Authors: Ogawa, Mizuki, Kawamura, Ayano, Akabane, Ryota, Sakatani, Atsushi, Miyakawa, Hirosumi, Hsu, Huai‐Hsun, Miyagawa, Yuichi, Takemura, Naoyuki
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Blood pressure; Cardiomyopathy; Cats; Electrocardiography; Heart failure; Heart rate; Ischemia; Laboratory animals; Nervous system; Original Research; Pacemakers; Veterinary medicine
• ISSN: 2399-2050; 2052-6113; 2052-6113
• DOI: 10.1002/vro2.28

Background Ivabradine is used to treat tachycardia; unlike atenolol, it does not affect blood pressure or myocardial contractility. This study compared the impact of ivabradine and atenolol on heart rate (HR) and HR variability (HRV) during a 24 h period, feeding and sleeping times, via a Holter electrocardiogram in healthy cats. We hypothesised that ivabradine and atenolol would lower the HRs equally well, even at times of excitement and rest, such as during feeding and sleep; that ivabradine, unlike atenolol, would have an effect on HRV. Methods Five clinically healthy cats were used in the prospective blinded crossover study receiving 3 days of ivabradine (0.30 mg/kg per os twice daily) followed by atenolol (6.25 mg/cat per os twice daily, range 1.3–2.0 mg/kg) or receiving atenolol followed by ivabradine. A placebo period was initiated before the start of the crossover test, data obtained during that period were used as a baseline (BL). Evaluation parameters included HR and HRV, for the whole 24 h period and for feeding and sleeping times, comparing the effect of ivabradine and atenolol with BL. Results The HR for the whole 24 h, feeding and sleeping times, were significantly lower with ivabradine and atenolol, compared to BL (p