Exhibit 99.3


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CV THERAPEUTICS, INC.                                       FLEISHMAN-HILLARD
Dan Spiegelman                                              Carol Harrison
Chief Financial Officer                                     (212) 453-2442
(650) 812-9509

Christopher Chai
Treasurer & Senior Director, Investor Relations
(650) 812-9560


                  CV THERAPEUTICS DEMONSTRATES PROOF OF CONCEPT
           FOR CVT-510 IN PHASE II ATRIAL FIBRILLATION CLINICAL TRIAL

         PALO ALTO, CALIFORNIA, NOVEMBER 19, 2001 - CV Therapeutics, Inc.
(Nasdaq: CVTX) announced today that in an open-label, dose-ranging Phase II
clinical trial in patients with atrial fibrillation or flutter, CVT-510
consistently reduced heart rate from baseline (p<0.05) without decreasing blood
pressure. The Company is therefore embarking on a broad Phase IIb development
program aimed at defining an optimized dosage regimen in patients with this
complex cardiac disease. Current clinical trials for CVT-510 include a Phase III
trial in patients with PSVT and Phase II trials in patients with atrial
fibrillation.

          "We are pleased that the CVT-510 program has successfully established
proof of concept for reduction of heart rate in atrial fibrillation, and is now
committed to a broader Phase IIb program," said Louis G. Lange, M.D., Ph.D.,
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of CV Therapeutics, Inc. "With our strong
balance sheet of approximately $350 million in cash, we can continue to move our
clinical programs forward."

         Over 2.6 million times per year, patients are admitted to U.S.
hospitals and emergency rooms with a primary or secondary diagnosis of atrial
arrhythmias. Atrial arrhythmias, such as atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter and
paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia (PSVT), can cause potentially
life-threatening low blood pressure, and may also result in stroke or heart
attack.

         Atrial arrhythmias occur when electrical signals in the atria cause the
heart to beat too rapidly or uncontrollably. The AV node controls the
transmission of electrical impulses from the atria to the ventricles. When the
frequency of signals passing through the AV node is too high, the ventricles, in
turn, begin to beat too rapidly. This results in insufficient time for filling
and emptying the left ventricle, which causes low blood pressure (hypotension)
and reduced blood flow to the brain and other vital organs. Therefore, the heart
rate needs to be controlled urgently.

         Clinical studies conducted with intravenous CVT-510 suggest that it may
slow the speed of AV nodal conduction by selectively stimulating the A(1)
adenosine receptor, and could avoid blood pressure lowering because it does not
stimulate the A(2) adenosine receptor. Thus, it may be

possible to use intravenous CVT-510 for rapid intervention in the control of
atrial arrhythmias without lowering blood pressure.

         CV Therapeutics, Inc., headquartered in Palo Alto, CA, is a
biopharmaceutical company focused on applying molecular cardiology to the
discovery, development and commercialization of novel, small molecule drugs for
the treatment of cardiovascular diseases. CVT currently has four compounds in
clinical trials. Ranolazine, in a new class of compounds known as partial fatty
acid oxidation (pFOX) inhibitors, is being developed for the potential treatment
of chronic angina. CVT-510, an A(1) adenosine receptor agonist, is being
developed for the potential reduction of rapid heart rate during atrial
arrhythmias. CVT-3146, an A(2)A adenosine receptor agonist, is being developed
for the potential use as an adjunctive pharmacologic agent in cardiac perfusion
imaging studies. Adentri(TM), an A(1) adenosine antagonist, is being developed
by our partner Biogen, Inc., for the potential treatment of acute and chronic
congestive heart failure. For more information, please visit CV Therapeutics'
website at http://www.cvt.com.

         Except for the historical information contained herein, the matters set
forth in this press release, including statements as to the company's
development programs, commercialization efforts, and potential products,
including CVT-510, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the
"safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of
1995. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties
that may cause actual results to differ materially, including, early stage of
development; the timing of clinical trials; the dependence on collaborative and
licensing agreements; and other risks detailed from time to time in CVT's SEC
reports, including its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December
31, 2000. CVT disclaims any intent or obligation to update these forward-looking
statements.

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