Elevated Heart Rate is Associated with Cardiac Denervation in Patients with Heart Failure: A 123-Iodine-MIBG Myocardial Scintigraphy Study.

Background:: In the Systolic Heart Failure Treatment With the If Inhibitor Ivabradine Trial (SHIFT), heart rate (HR) reduction with ivabradine was associated with improved survival and reduced hospitalizations in patients with heart failure (HF). The mechanisms by which elevated HR increases mortality are not fully understood.

Objective:: To assess the relationship of baseline HR with clinical, neurohormonal and cardiac sympathetic activity in patients with chronic HF and elevated HR.