Supplemental Table 1. List of Advanced Heart Failure Trials Included in Analysis

StudyNIntervention
Studies with ≤10 participants
Omoto et al. 16LVAD as bridge to transplantation
Kassai et al. 28Transapical left ventricular lead placement in CRT
Schwartz et al. 38Vagal stimulation
Jaski et al. 49Enzyme replacement via gene transplantation
Esmore et al. 59LVAD as bridge to transplantation vs. destination therapy
Dean et al. 69Moderate-intensity resistance training
Torre-Amione et al. 79Upper thoracic spinal cord stimulation
Benetti et al. 810Direct myocardial implantation of human fetal stem cells
De Ferrari et al. 910Intravenous administration of ivabradine
Studies with 11-100 participants
Grossman et al. 1011Low-dose levodopa (L-DOPA)
Carraro et al. 1112Daily periods of rest in dynamic cardiomyoplasty patients
Gold et al. 1212Dual-chamber pacing with a short atrioventricular delay
Bharani et al. 1312Terminalia Arjuna bark extract
Koreny et al. 1413Milrinone administration
Torre-Amione et al. 1514Prolonged infusion of tezosentan
Mehra et al. 1614Administration of n-3 ethyl ester concentrate (fish oil)
Middlekauff et al. 1715Acupuncture
Nanas et al. 1816Intermittent dobutamine infusions with oral amiodarone
Siegenthaler et al. 1917Long-term continuous axial flow pump support
Sirker et al. 2018Biventricular vs. left univentricular pacing in CRT
Sliwa et al. 2118Pentoxifylline administration
Dai et al. 2218Renal nerve blockade
Nanas et al. 2318Intermittent dobutamine infusions with oral amiodarone
Chen et al. 2418Mechanical ventilation; NPPV vs. ETI
Pacher et al. 2518Prostaglandin E1 infusion
Deswal eta l. 2618Administration of etanercept
Karavidas et al. 2718Positive airway pressure therapy
Fichtlscherer et al. 2818Administration of etanercept
Acevedo et al. 2919Administration of recombinant human growth hormone
Erlemeier et al. 3020Intermittent infusion of dobutamine
Chung et al. 3120Serial home infusions of nesiritide
Cobb et al. 3222Atrioventricular or interventricular delay programming in CRT
Wieselthaler et al. 3323Implantation of LVAD with magnetically levitated rotor
Hamilton et al. 3423Intravenous administration of triiodothyronine
Livi et al. 3524Implantation of Acorn CorCapTM cardiac support device
Roveda et al. 3624Exercise training
Parissis et al. 3725Serial levosimendan infusions
Stellbrink et al. 3825CRT using hemodynamically optimized pacing
Yu et al. 3925Delayed regional contraction after biventricular pacing in CRT
Tasal et al. 4029Single-dose vs. repeated infusions of levosimendan
Wimmer et al. 4130Infusions of prostaglandin E1 and dobutamine
Yu et al. 4230Cardiac contractility modulation
Berman et al. 4332Administration of coenzyme Q10
Acar et al. 4432Administration of oral and intravenous molsidomine
Frey et al. 4532Intravenous prostaglandin E1 vs. dobutamine
Newton et al. 4632Administration of nebulized furosemide
Quittan et al. 4733Neuromuscular electrical stimulation of thigh muscles
Malfatto et al. 4833Intermittent levosimendan infusions
Sueta et al. 4933Continual portable administration of intravenous epoprostenol
Oliva et al. 5038Intermittent low-dose dobutamine infusions
Schalcher et al. 5138Intravenous infusions of tezosentan
Jessup et al. 5239Percutaneous administration of gene therapy
Parissis et al. 5339Administration of levosimendan infusions
Zsebo et al. 5439Gene transfer
Bocchi et al. 5540Administration of granulocyte-colony stimulating factor
Ritzema et al. 5640Physician-directed patient self-management system
Moser et al. 5740Biofeedback-relaxation techniques for voluntary vasocontrol
MacDonald et al. 5841Radiofrequency ablation for persistent atrial fibrillation
Caponnetto et al. 5942Administration of ibopamine
Res et al. 6042Bifocal right biventricular pacing in CRT
Hülsmann et al. 6143Administration of atenolol
Paraskevaidis et al. 6243Administration of carvedilol
Flevari et al. 6345Administration of levosimendan
Bozkurt et al. 6447Sustained administration of etanercept
Krum et al. 6549Administration of carvedilol
Neelagaru et al. 6649Cardiac contractility modulation
Mavrogeni et al. 6750Intermittent levosimendan infusion
Nakamura et al. 6850Administration of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors
Copie et al. 6952Administration of bisoprolol
Keith et al. 7056Vitamin E supplementation
Palazzuoli et al. 7158Administration of carvedilol
Pasqui et al. 7258Administration of levosimendan
Mozid et al. 7358Variable delivery methods of bone marrow-derived stem cells
Palazzuoli et al. 7459Administration of carvedilol
Paterna et al. 7560Combination high-dose furosemide and hypertonic saline
Tziakas et al. 7660Administration of levosimendan
Bonios et al. 7763Intermittent infusions of levosimendan and dobutamine
Stanek et al. 7868Prostaglandin E1 vs. prostacyclin vs. low-dose dobutamine
Morshuis et al. 7968Implantation of magnetically levitated centrifugal LVAD
Evangelista et al. 8071Exercise training
Mehra et al. 8171Long-term intravenous milrinone infusions
Haghjoo et al. 8273Right ventricle apex vs. high septum lead placement in CRT
Tang et al. 8374High- vs. low-dose enalapril
Torre-Amione et al. 8475Non-pharmacological immune modulation therapy
Cole et al. 8576Hospital visits with therapy dog
Stellbrink et al. 8677Univentricular pacing in CRT
Vrtovec et al. 8780Administration of atorvastatin
Morshuis et al. 8882Implantation of magnetically levitated centrifugal LVAD
Troughton et al. 8984Left atrial pressure sensing system and CRT
Bleeker et al. 9090Tissue Doppler imaging in CRT candidates
Imamura et al. 91100Administration of tolvaptan
Studies with 101-1000 participants
Gras et al. 92103Atrio-biventricular transvenous pacing system in CRT
Fonarow et al. 93104Captopril vs. hydralazine plus isosorbide dinitrate
Cohn et al. 94105Administration of carvedilol
Altenberger et al. 95120Pulsed infusions of levosimendan
Braun et al. 96124Implantation and utilization of CRT
Loh et al. 97125Intravenous milrinone vs. intravenous nitroglycerin
Rose et al. 98129Long-term use of LVAD
Jaarsma et al. 99132Supportive educational nursing interventions
Miller et al. 100133Continuous-flow LVAD as bridge to transplantation
Shah et al. 101137B-type natriuretic peptide-guided diuretic therapy
Kurtz et al. 102138Automated home telephone self-monitoring
Udelson et al. 103142Administration of conivaptan
Boriani et al. 104148Remote monitoring of patients implanted with CRT-D devices
Cowley et al. 105151Administration of enoximone
Meyns et al. 106160Partial vs. full support LVAD as bridge to transplantation
Lennie et al. 107175Dietary changes in sodium, lycopene, and omega-3 fatty acids
Anderson et al. 108189Extended infusions of intravenous milrinone
Slaughter et al. 109200Continuous- vs. pulsatile-flow LVAD
Rogers et al. 110200Implantation of mechanically assisted circulation device
Feldman et al. 111201Administration of low-dose oral enoxinome
Yancy et al. 112210Serial nesiritide infusions in outpatients
García-González et al. 113213Administration of intermittent repeated levosimendan infusions
Frey et al. 114236Hemodynamic stability-based staged medical therapy
Greenberg et al. 115250Intracoronary delivery of gene therapy
Bourge et al. 116274Continuous intracardiac pressure monitoring
Goldberg et al. 117280Daily electronic home weight monitoring system
Slaughter et al. 118332Ventricular assist device as bridge to transplantation
Schuchert et al. 119366Cardiac resynchronization therapy in symptomatic patients
Lahpor et al. 120411Implantation of continuous-flow ventricular assist device
Kadish et al. 121428Cardiac contractility modulation
Adams et al. 122430Administration of intravenous epoprostenol
Shah et al. 123500Pulmonary artery catheterization and hemodynamic monitoring
Abraham et al. 124500Utilization of cardiac resynchronization therapy
Glick et al. 125822Administration of aldactone
Yancy et al. 126900Serial infusions of nesiritide
Studies with >1000 participants
Deswal et al. 1271046Administration of vesnarinone
Taylor et al. 1281050Administration of isosobride dinitrate and hydralazine
Eichhorn et al. 1291068Monitoring magnesium levels with milrinone therapy
O'Connor et al. 1301153Administration of amlodipine
Bristow et al. 1311520Cardiac resynchronization therapy with defibrillation
Metra et al. 1321854Administration of low-dose oral enoximone
Hampton et al. 1331906Administration of oral ibopamine
The BEST Investigators1342708Administration of bucindolol

BEST: Beta-Blocker Evaluation of Survival Trial; CRT: cardiac resynchronization therapy; CRT-D: cardiac resynchronization therapy with implantable cardioverter-defibrillator; ETI: endotracheal intubation; LVAD: left ventricular assist device; NPPV: noninvasive positive-pressure ventilation.

Supplemental Table 2. Criteria Used to Define Advanced Heart Failure in Clinical Trials with ≥200 participants (N=27)

Criteria / N of trials with criterion required (%) / Range of
cutoff value / Mode of
cutoff value
New York Heart Association class / 27 (100) / II to IV / III-IV
Left ventricular ejection fraction, % / 21 (77.8) / <20 to <40 / <35
Specific HF symptoms present / 5 (18.5) / --- / ---
Inotrope-dependent status / 2 (7.4) / --- / ---
Previous HF admission / 8 (29.6) / --- / ---
Peak VO2 (ml/kg/min) / 2 (7.4) / <12 to <14 / ---
Cardiac index (L/m2/min) / 1 (3.7) / <2.5 / ---
PCWP (mmHg) / 3 (11.1) / ≥15 to >20 / ---
QRS prolongation (ms) / 2 (7.4) / ≥120 to >130 / ---
LVEDD (mm/m2) / 3 (11.1) / ≥55 to >65 / ---
6-min walk test (m) / 3 (11.1) / <300 to <400 / <400
BNP or NT-proBNP * / 2 (7.4) / --- / ---
Cardiothoracic ratio >0.5 / 1 (3.7) / --- / ---

* N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide >1200 pg/ml (or >1600 pg/mL if atrial fibrillation present) in 1 study and >3000pg/mL in 1 study. BNP: B-type natriuretic peptide; HF: heart failure; LVEDD: left ventricular end diastolic diameter; NT-proBNP: N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide;PCWP: pulmonary capillary wedge pressure

Supplemental Bibliography

1. Omoto R, Kyo S, Nishimura M, Matsuda H, Matsumiya G, Kitamura S, et al. Japanese multicenter clinical evaluation of the HeartMate vented electric left ventricular assist system. J Artif Organs2005;8:34-40.

2. Kassai I, Mihalcz A, Foldesi C, Kardos A, Szili-Torok T. A novel approach for endocardial resynchronization therapy: initial experience with transapical implantation of the left ventricular lead. Heart Surg Forum2009;12:E137-140.

3. Schwartz PJ, De Ferrari GM, Sanzo A, Landolina M, Rordorf R, Raineri C, et al. Long term vagal stimulation in patients with advanced heart failure: first experience in man. Eur J Heart Fail2008;10:884-891.

4. Jaski BE, Jessup ML, Mancini DM, Cappola TP, Pauly DF, Greenberg B, et al. Calcium upregulation by percutaneous administration of gene therapy in cardiac disease (CUPID Trial), a first-in-human phase 1/2 clinical trial. J Card Fail2009;15:171-181.

5. Esmore DS, Kaye D, Salamonsen R, Buckland M, Begg JR, Negri J, et al. Initial clinical experience with the VentrAssist left ventricular assist device: the pilot trial. J Heart Lung Transplant2008;27:479-485.

6. Dean AS, Libonati JR, Madonna D, Ratcliffe SJ, Margulies KB. Resistance training improves vasoreactivity in end-stage heart failure patients on inotropic support. J Cardiovasc Nurs2011;26:218-223.

7. Torre-Amione G, Alo K, Estep JD, Valderrabano M, Khalil N, Farazi TG, et al. Spinal cord stimulation is safe and feasible in patients with advanced heart failure: early clinical experience. Eur J Heart Fail2014;16:788-795.

8. Benetti F, Penherrera E, Maldonado T, Vera YD, Subramanian V, Geffner L. Direct myocardial implantation of human fetal stem cells in heart failure patients: long-term results. Heart Surg Forum2010;13:E31-35.

9. De Ferrari GM, Mazzuero A, Agnesina L, Bertoletti A, Lettino M, Campana C, et al. Favourable effects of heart rate reduction with intravenous administration of ivabradine in patients with advanced heart failure. Eur J Heart Fail2008;10:550-555.

10. Grossman E SA, Peleg E, Thaler M, Goldstein DS. Renal Effects of L-DOPA in Heart Failure. J Cardiovasc Pharmacol1999;33:922-928.

11. Carraro U, Rigatelli G, Rossini K, Barbiero M, Rigatelli G. Demand dynamic bio-girdling in heart failure: improved efficacy of dynamic cardiomyoplasty by LD contraction during aortic out-flow. Int J Artif Organs2003;26:217-224.

12. Gold MR, Feliciano Z, Gottlieb SS, Fisher ML. Dual-chamber pacing with a short atrioventricular delay in congestive heart failure: a randomized study. J Am Coll Cardiol1995;26:967-973.

13. Bharani A, Ganguly A, Bhargava KD. Salutary effect of Terminalia Arjuna in patients with severe refractory heart failure. Int J Cardiol1995;49:191-199.

14. Koreny M, Geppert A, Wutte M, Delle Karth G, Heinz G, Siostrzonek P. Effects of milrinone on pulmonary gas exchange in catecholamine-dependent heart failure. Am J Cardiol2000;86:570-573, A510.

15. Torre-Amione G, Durand JB, Nagueh S, Vooletich MT, Kobrin I, Pratt C. A pilot safety trial of prolonged (48 h) infusion of the dual endothelin-receptor antagonist tezosentan in patients with advanced heart failure. Chest2001;120:460-466.

16. Mehra MR, Lavie CJ, Ventura HO, Milani RV. Fish oils produce anti-inflammatory effects and improve body weight in severe heart failure. J Heart Lung Transplant2006;25:834-838.

17. Middlekauff HR, Hui K, Yu JL, Hamilton MA, Fonarow GC, Moriguchi J, et al. Acupuncture inhibits sympathetic activation during mental stress in advanced heart failure patients. J Card Fail2002;8:399-406.

18. Nanas JN, Tsagalou EP, Nanas SN, Terrovitis JV, Tsolakis EJ, Toumanidis S, et al. Reverse left ventricular remodeling by intermittent dobutamine infusions and amiodarone in end-stage heart failure due to idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy. Int J Cardiol2006;108:237-243.

19. Siegenthaler MP, Westaby S, Frazier OH, Martin J, Banning A, Robson D, et al. Advanced heart failure: feasibility study of long-term continuous axial flow pump support. Eur Heart J2005;26:1031-1038.

20. Sirker A, Thomas M, Baker S, Shrimpton J, Jewell S, Lee L, et al. Cardiac resynchronization therapy: left or left-and-right for optimal symptomatic effect--the LOLA ROSE study. Europace2007;9:862-868.

21. Sliwa K, Woodiwiss A, Candy G, Badenhorst D, Libhaber C, Norton G, et al. Effects of pentoxifylline on cytokine profiles and left ventricular performance in patients with decompensated congestive heart failure secondary to idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy. Am J Cardiol2002;90:1118-1122.

22. Dai QM, Fen Y, Lu J, Ma GS. Efficacy of regional renal nerve blockade in patients with chronic refractory heart failure. Chin Med J (Engl)2013;126:1076-1080.

23. Nanas JN, Tsagalou EP, Kanakakis J, Nanas SN, Terrovitis JV, Moon T, et al. Long-term intermittent dobutamine infusion, combined with oral amiodarone for end-stage heart failure: a randomized double-blind study. Chest2004;125:1198-1204.

24. Chen Y, Chen P, Hanaoka M, Huang X, Droma Y, Kubo K. Mechanical Ventilation in Patients with Hypoxemia due to Refractory Heart Failure. Internal Medicine2008;47:367-373.

25. Pacher R, Stanek B, Hulsmann M, Sinzinger H. Effect of prostaglandin E1 infusion in severe chronic heart failure. Prostaglandins1997;53:221-235.

26. Deswal A, Bozkurt B, Seta Y, Parilti-Eiswirth S, Hayes FA, Blosch C, et al. Safety and efficacy of a soluble P75 tumor necrosis factor receptor (Enbrel, etanercept) in patients with advanced heart failure. Circulation1999;99:3224-3226.

27. Karavidas A, Kapsimalis F, Lazaros G, Markozanes E, Arapi S, Cholidou K, et al. The impact of positive airway pressure on cardiac status and clinical outcomes in patients with advanced heart failure and sleep-disordered breathing: a preliminary report. Sleep Breath2011;15:701-709.

28. Fichtlscherer S, Rossig L, Breuer S, Vasa M, Dimmeler S, Zeiher AM. Tumor necrosis factor antagonism with etanercept improves systemic endothelial vasoreactivity in patients with advanced heart failure. Circulation2001;104:3023-3025.

29. Acevedo M, Corbalan R, Chamorro G, Jalil J, Nazzal C, Campusano C, et al. Administration of growth hormone to patients with advanced cardiac heart failure: effects upon left ventricular function, exercise capacity, and neurohormonal status. Int J Cardiol2003;87:185-191.

30. Erlemeier HH, Kupper W, Bleifeld W. Intermittent infusion of dobutamine in the therapy of severe congestive heart failure--long-term effects and lack of tolerance. Cardiovasc Drugs Ther1992;6:391-398.

31. Chung ES, Menon SG, Daly KA, Atkinson J, Peterson T, Robertson R, et al. Safety and tolerability of serial home infusions of nesiritide for advanced heart failure. Am J Cardiol2006;97:1370-1373.

32. Cobb V, Thomas M, Ellery S, Jewell S, Lee L, James R, et al. Cardiac resynchronisation therapy: a randomised trial of factory or echocardiographic settings for optimum response. Heart Lung Circ2013;22:717-723.

33. Wieselthaler GM, G OD, Jansz P, Khaghani A, Strueber M, Investigators HC. Initial clinical experience with a novel left ventricular assist device with a magnetically levitated rotor in a multi-institutional trial. J Heart Lung Transplant2010;29:1218-1225.

34. Hamilton MA, Stevenson LW, Fonarow GC, Steimle A, Goldhaber JI, Child JS, et al. Safety and hemodynamic effects of intravenous triiodothyronine in advanced congestive heart failure. Am J Cardiol1998;81:443-447.

35. Livi U, Alfieri O, Vitali E, Russo C, Frigerio M, Tursi V, et al. One-year clinical experience with the Acorn CorCap cardiac support device: results of a limited market release safety study in Italy and Sweden. Ital Heart J2005;6:59-65.

36. Roveda F, Middlekauff HR, Rondon MU, Reis SF, Souza M, Nastari L, et al. The effects of exercise training on sympathetic neural activation in advanced heart failure: a randomized controlled trial. J Am Coll Cardiol2003;42:854-860.

37. Parissis JT, Adamopoulos S, Farmakis D, Filippatos G, Paraskevaidis I, Panou F, et al. Effects of serial levosimendan infusions on left ventricular performance and plasma biomarkers of myocardial injury and neurohormonal and immune activation in patients with advanced heart failure. Heart2006;92:1768-1772.

38. Stellbrink C, Breithardt OA, Franke A, Sack S, Bakker P, Auricchio A, et al. Impact of cardiac resynchronization therapy using hemodynamically optimized pacing on left ventricular remodeling in patients with congestive heart failure and ventricular conduction disturbances. J Am Coll Cardiol2001;38:1957-1965.

39. Yu CM, Chau E, Sanderson JE, Fan K, Tang MO, Fung WH, et al. Tissue Doppler echocardiographic evidence of reverse remodeling and improved synchronicity by simultaneously delaying regional contraction after biventricular pacing therapy in heart failure. Circulation2002;105:438-445.

40. Tasal A, Demir M, Kanadasi M, Bacaksiz A, Vatankulu MA, Sahin DY, et al. Comparison of single-dose and repeated levosimendan infusion in patients with acute exacerbation of advanced heart failure. Med Sci Monit2014;20:276-282.

41. Wimmer A, Stanek B, Kubecova L, Vitovec J, Spinar J, Yilmaz N, et al. Effects of prostaglandin E1, dobutamine and placebo on hemodynamic, renal and neurohumoral variables in patients with advanced heart failure. Jpn Heart J1999;40:321-334.

42. Yu CM, Chan JY, Zhang Q, Yip GW, Lam YY, Chan A, et al. Impact of cardiac contractility modulation on left ventricular global and regional function and remodeling. JACC Cardiovasc Imaging2009;2:1341-1349.

43. Berman M, Erman A, Ben-Gal T, Dvir D, Georghiou GP, Stamler A, et al. Coenzyme Q10 in patients with end-stage heart failure awaiting cardiac transplantation: a randomized, placebo-controlled study. Clin Cardiol2004;27:295-299.

44. Acar J, Kulas A, Escudier B. Long-term clinical and hemodynamic results of molsidomine treatment in patients with refractory heart failure. Am Heart J1985;109:685-687.

45. Frey B, Pacher R, Locker G, Bojic A, Hartter E, Woloszczuk W, et al. Prognostic value of hemodynamic vs big endothelin measurements during long-term IV therapy in advanced heart failure patients. Chest2000;117:1713-1719.

46. Newton PJ, Davidson PM, Krum H, Ollerton R, Macdonald P. The acute haemodynamic effect of nebulised frusemide in stable, advanced heart failure. Heart Lung Circ2012;21:260-266.

47. Quittan M, Wiesinger GF, Sturm B, Puig S, Mayr W, Sochor A, et al. Improvement of thigh muscles by neuromuscular electrical stimulation in patients with refractory heart failure: a single-blind, randomized, controlled trial. Am J Phys Med Rehabil2001;80:206-214; quiz 215-206, 224.

48. Malfatto G, Della Rosa F, Villani A, Rella V, Branzi G, Facchini M, et al. Intermittent levosimendan infusions in advanced heart failure: favourable effects on left ventricular function, neurohormonal balance, and one-year survival. J Cardiovasc Pharmacol2012;60:450-455.

49. Sueta CA, Gheorghiade M, Adams KF, Jr., Bourge RC, Murali S, Uretsky BF, et al. Safety and efficacy of epoprostenol in patients with severe congestive heart failure. Epoprostenol Multicenter Research Group. Am J Cardiol1995;75:34A-43A.

50. Oliva F, Latini R, Politi A, Staszewsky L, Maggioni AP, Nicolis E, et al. Intermittent 6-month low-dose dobutamine infusion in severe heart failure: DICE multicenter trial. Am Heart J1999;138:247-253.

51. Schalcher C, Cotter G, Reisin L, Bertel O, Kobrin I, Guyene TT, et al. The dual endothelin receptor antagonist tezosentan acutely improves hemodynamic parameters in patients with advanced heart failure. Am Heart J2001;142:340-349.

52. Jessup M, Greenberg B, Mancini D, Cappola T, Pauly DF, Jaski B, et al. Calcium Upregulation by Percutaneous Administration of Gene Therapy in Cardiac Disease (CUPID): a phase 2 trial of intracoronary gene therapy of sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase in patients with advanced heart failure. Circulation2011;124:304-313.

53. Parissis JT, Andreadou I, Markantonis SL, Bistola V, Louka A, Pyriochou A, et al. Effects of Levosimendan on circulating markers of oxidative and nitrosative stress in patients with advanced heart failure. Atherosclerosis2007;195:e210-215.

54. Zsebo K, Yaroshinsky A, Rudy JJ, Wagner K, Greenberg B, Jessup M, et al. Long-term effects of AAV1/SERCA2a gene transfer in patients with severe heart failure: analysis of recurrent cardiovascular events and mortality. Circ Res2014;114:101-108.

55. Bocchi EA, Bacal F, Guimaraes G, Mendroni A, Mocelin A, Filho AE, et al. Granulocyte-colony stimulating factor or granulocyte-colony stimulating factor associated to stem cell intracoronary infusion effects in non ischemic refractory heart failure. Int J Cardiol2010;138:94-97.

56. Ritzema J, Troughton R, Melton I, Crozier I, Doughty R, Krum H, et al. Physician-directed patient self-management of left atrial pressure in advanced chronic heart failure. Circulation2010;121:1086-1095.

57. Moser DK DK, Woo MA, Stevenson LW. Voluntary control of vascular tone by using skin-temperature biofeedback-relaxation in patients with advanced heart failure. Alt Ther Health Med1997;3:51-59.

58. MacDonald MR, Connelly DT, Hawkins NM, Steedman T, Payne J, Shaw M, et al. Radiofrequency ablation for persistent atrial fibrillation in patients with advanced heart failure and severe left ventricular systolic dysfunction: a randomised controlled trial. Heart2011;97:740-747.

59. Caponnetto S, Allegro A, Bellotti G, Cataldi A, Salvemini M, Portioli I, et al. Positive inotropic effects of ibopamine in patients with congestive heart failure. A multicenter investigation. Arzneimittelforschung1986;36:386-390.

60. Res JC, Bokern MJ, de Cock CC, van Loenhout T, Bronzwaer PN, Spierenburg HA, et al. The BRIGHT study: bifocal right ventricular resynchronization therapy: a randomized study. Europace2007;9:857-861.

61. Hulsmann M, Sturm B, Pacher R, Berger R, Bojic A, Frey B, et al. Long-term effect of atenolol on ejection fraction, symptoms, and exercise variables in patients with advanced left ventricular dysfunction. J Heart Lung Transplant2001;20:1174-1180.

62. Paraskevaidis IA, Tsiapras D, Karavolias G, Adamopoulos S, Dodouras T, Cokkinos P, et al. The effect of carvedilol therapy on myocardial functional reserve in patients with advanced heart failure caused by nonischemic dilated cardiomyopathy. J Am Soc Echocardiogr2006;19:529-535.

63. Flevari P, Parissis JT, Leftheriotis D, Panou F, Kourea K, Kremastinos DT. Effect of levosimendan on ventricular arrhythmias and prognostic autonomic indexes in patients with decompensated advanced heart failure secondary to ischemic or dilated cardiomyopathy. Am J Cardiol2006;98:1641-1645.

64. Bozkurt B, Torre-Amione G, Warren MS, Whitmore J, Soran OZ, Feldman AM, et al. Results of targeted anti-tumor necrosis factor therapy with etanercept (ENBREL) in patients with advanced heart failure. Circulation2001;103:1044-1047.

65. Krum H, Sackner-Bernstein JD, Goldsmith RL, Kukin ML, Schwartz B, Penn J, et al. Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study of the Long-term Efficacy of Carvedilol in Patients With Severe Chronic Heart Failure. Circulation1995;92:1499-1506.

66. Neelagaru SB, Sanchez JE, Lau SK, Greenberg SM, Raval NY, Worley S, et al. Nonexcitatory, cardiac contractility modulation electrical impulses: feasibility study for advanced heart failure in patients with normal QRS duration. Heart Rhythm2006;3:1140-1147.

67. Mavrogeni S, Giamouzis G, Papadopoulou E, Thomopoulou S, Dritsas A, Athanasopoulos G, et al. A 6-month follow-up of intermittent levosimendan administration effect on systolic function, specific activity questionnaire, and arrhythmia in advanced heart failure. J Card Fail2007;13:556-559.

68. Nakamura M, Funakoshi T, Arakawa N, Yoshida H, Makita S, Hiramori K. Effect of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors on endothelium-dependent peripheral vasodilation in patients with chronic heart failure. J Am Coll Cardiol1994;24:1321-1327.

69. Copie X, Pousset F, Lechat P, Jaillon P, Guize L, Le Heuzey JY. Effects of beta-blockade with bisoprolol on heart rate variability in advanced heart failure: analysis of scatterplots of R-R intervals at selected heart rates. Am Heart J1996;132:369-375.

70. Keith ME, Jeejeebhoy KN, Langer A, Kurian R, Barr A, O'Kelly B, et al. A controlled clinical trial of vitamin E supplementation in patients with congestive heart failure. Am J Clin Nutr2001;73:219-224.

71. Palazzuoli A, Quatrini I, Vecchiato L, Calabria P, Gennari L, Martini G, et al. Left ventricular diastolic function improvement by carvedilol therapy in advanced heart failure. J Cardiovasc Pharmacol2005;45:563-568.

72. Pasqui AL, Maffei S, Di Renzo M, Pompella G, Auteri A, Puccetti L. Levosimendan improves pro/anti-inflammatory cytokines imbalance in male patients with advanced heart failure. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Int J Cardiol2011;147:314-315.