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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
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<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001181431-09-020150.txt : 20090416
<SEC-HEADER>0001181431-09-020150.hdr.sgml : 20090416
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20090416170018
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001181431-09-020150
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20090414
FILED AS OF DATE:		20090416
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20090416

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			LEE KENNETH B JR
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001208570

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-21643
		FILM NUMBER:		09754197

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>rrd239896.xml
<DESCRIPTION>LEE FORM 4 APRIL 14, 2009 CASH PAYMENT FOR STOCK OPTION EXERCISE DUE TO CHANGE IN CONTROL
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0303</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2009-04-14</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>1</notSubjectToSection16>

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

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001208570</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>LEE KENNETH B JR</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O CV THERAPEUTICS, INC.</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>3172 PORTER DR.</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>PALO ALTO</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>94304</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Nonqualified Stock Option (right to buy)</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>8.74</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2009-04-14</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>M</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>3750</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>11.26</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2008-06-20</value>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2018-05-20</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>3750</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>0</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">This option to purchase shares of the Issuer's stock, which provided that 8.33% of the shares subject to the option shall vest per month over the 12 month period following the May 20, 2008 date of grant, became 100% vested and exercisable due to a change in control of the Issuer effected through the tender offer by Apex Merger Sub, Inc. (&quot;Apex&quot;), a wholly owned subsidiary of Gilead Sciences, Inc. (&quot;Gilead), effective as of April 14, 2009. The Issuer will make a cash payment of $42,225, representing the gross cash amount for the remaining shares subject to this option which became 100% vested and exercisable due to the change in control, to the Reporting Party.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/S/ TRICIA BORGA SUVARI, ATTORNEY IN FACT FOR: KENNETH B LEE JR</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2009-04-16</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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