Cardiovascular Responses in Congestive Heart Failure With Cheyne- Stokes Respiration

Cardiovascular Response to Peripheral Chemoreceptor Stimulation in Congestive Heart Failure With Cheyne- Stokes Respiration

The purpose of the trial is to investigate the cardiovascular response to peripheral chemoreceptor stimulation in Congestive Heart Failure with Cheyne- Stokes Respiration

Inclusion Criteria:

• Moderate to severe heart failure (NYHA Class II or above) on optimal medical therapy
• LVEF less than or equal to 45%
• Stable condition as defined as no hospital admission or changes to medical therapy within two weeks prior to enrolment

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patients taking known respiratory stimulants or depressants
• Clinically significant asthma requiring therapy
• Significant parenchymal lung disease
• Primary pulmonary hypertension
• Myocardial infarction within three months prior to enrolment
• Patients with cardiac resynchronisation devices and permanent pacemakers
• Anaemic (haemoglobin < 12g/dL)