Bilateral Surgical Resection of Carotid Bodies in Patients With Systolic Heart Failure

Bilateral Surgical Resection of Carotid Bodies in Patients With Systolic Heart Failure

The primary aim of the study is to determine safety, tolerability and feasibility of bilateral carotid body resection in patients with systolic heart failure and peripheral chemoreceptor hypersensitivity. The secondary aim is to assess potential efficacy of bilateral carotid body resection.

Inclusion Criteria:

• History of heart failure class II-III according to NYHA within at least 6 months prior to inclusion
• Stable clinical state within at least 4 weeks prior to inclusion
• Subject >= 18 years old
• Left ventricular ejection fraction ≤ 45% evaluated by transthoracic echocardiography (Simpson's method)
• Carotid body present in computer cervical angiotomography
• History of exacerbated peripheral chemoreceptor sensitivity determined as >0.6L/min/%SpO2
• Able and willing to give written informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

• Unstable angina pectoris, coronary attack, coronary revascularization, exacerbation of heart-failure requiring hospitalization, clinically significant infection, surgery under general anesthesia within 3 months prior to inclusion
• History of stroke, transient ischemic attack (TIA), or clinically significant chronic neurological disorder
• History of heart transplant
• Pregnancy or anticipation of pregnancy
• Hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis patients
• Obstructive carotid atherosclerotic disease with >50% stenosis
• COPD stage III and IV according to GOLD 2007
• Unable to perform the spiroergometric assessment
• Any significant anomaly in additional investigation which may increase the risk of study procedure