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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
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<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001181431-09-007364.txt : 20090209
<SEC-HEADER>0001181431-09-007364.hdr.sgml : 20090209
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20090209164252
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001181431-09-007364
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20090206
FILED AS OF DATE:		20090209
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20090209

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			BLACKBURN BRENT K
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001238402

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-21643
		FILM NUMBER:		09581763

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		BUSINESS PHONE:		6503848500

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		3172 PORTER DRIVE
		CITY:			PALO ALTO
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			94034

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			CV THERAPEUTICS INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000921506
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	BIOLOGICAL PRODUCTS (NO DIAGNOSTIC SUBSTANCES) [2836]
		IRS NUMBER:				431570294
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		3172 PORTER DR
		CITY:			PALO ALTO
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			94304
		BUSINESS PHONE:		6503848500

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		3172 PORTER DRIVE
		CITY:			PALO ALTO
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			94304
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>rrd232340.xml
<DESCRIPTION>BLACKBURN FEBRUARY 6, 2009 STOCK SALE PER AMENDED 10B5-1 PLAN
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0303</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2009-02-06</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000921506</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>CV THERAPEUTICS INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>CVTX</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001238402</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>BLACKBURN BRENT K</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>3172 PORTER DRIVE</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>PALO ALTO</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>94304</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>SVP, Drug Discovery &amp; Dev</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2009-02-06</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>S</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>1500</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>15.50</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>29561</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>6730.9084</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>By 401(k)</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">The sales reported in this Form 4 were effected pursuant to a Rule 10b5-1 trading plan adopted by the Reporting Person on November 15, 2007 and amended December 10, 2008.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">Shares held in the Reporting Person's name by the Issuer's 401(k) plan.  Includes Company 401(k) match of 1,679 shares of common stock to the Reporting Person on January 7, 2009.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ BLACK K BLACKBURN</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2009-02-09</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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