Table 1.

Inclusion/exclusion criteria

Inclusion criteria

– Ischaemic heart failure NYHA class 2, 3 or 4 despite optimal pharmacological and non-pharmacological therapy – No candidate for (repeat) surgery (revascularisation, valve repair or ventricular reconstruction) – No candidate for (repeat) percutaneous revascularisation – Receiving resynchronisation therapy when indicated – Male or female >18 years – Life expectancy more than 6 months – Able to perform an exercise test prior to therapy – Able and willing to undergo all the tests used in this protocol including the traveling involved – Written informed consent

Exclusion criteria

– Evidence of cancer in the last 5 year (except low-grade and fully resolved non-melanoma skin malignancy) – Concurrent participation in a study using an experimental drug or an experimental procedure within 2 months before randomisation – Other severe concurrent illnesses (including active infection, aortic stenosis defined as aortic valve area below 1.0 cm2, severe renal insufficiency defined as a GFR <30 ml/min/1.73 m2) – Bleeding diathesis, HIV infection or pregnancy – Any other condition that, in the opinion of the investigator, could pose a significant threat to the subject if the investigational therapy is initiated – Inability to undergo cardiac catheterisation or nuclear imaging – Inability to follow the protocol and comply with follow-up requirements – Candidate for surgery (revascularisation, valve repair or ventricular reconstruction), resynchronisation therapy or percutaneous revascularisation

NYHA New York Heart Association, HIV human immunodeficiency virus, GFR glomerular filtration rate