Surgical Removal of Carotid Body in Patients With Systolic Heart Failure

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 * Severe sleep apnea syndrome diagnosed in PSG * 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