Effect of Pharmacological Heart Rate Reduction on Visco-elastic Properties of the Arterial Wall (BRADYVASC)

Detailed Summary

The conduit arteries exhibit a viscoelastic behavior. Visco-elasticity is partially regulated by endothelium and contributes to the optimization of the heart-vessel coupling. Aging or high resting heart rate (HR) could alter visco-elastic properties leading to increase stiffness of the conduit arteries, an independent cardiovascular risk factor, and degradation of heart-vessel coupling. Lowering HR with ivabradine could reduce these effects. The objective of this study is to assess the effect of HR reduction by repeated administration of ivabradine on visco-elastic properties, vascular geometry and function of common carotid artery, and on cardiovascular hemodynamic in healthy subject. The influence of aging on ivabradine effects are studied too. 30 healthy volunteers aged between 25 and 65 years old, with a HR ≥ 70 bpm, will receive ivabradine or placebo during 8 days in a single center, randomized, cross-group, double blinded, placebo-controlled study. Each period of treatment will be separate by 12 to 16 days of wash-out. Each subject will participate in an exploration visit, including evaluation of visco-elastic properties, vascular geometry and function of common carotid artery, and cardiovascular hemodynamic, before and after ivabradine or placebo taking.

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