In a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, we randomly assigned 37 patients (mean age 66
years; 95% male) with ischemic heart failure (HF) (ejection fraction (EF) < 40%) to a 9-month
treatment with either recombinant human GH (1.4 mg every other day) or placebo, with
subsequent 3-month treatment-free follow-up. The primary outcome was change in left
ventricular (LV) end-systolic volume measured by cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR). Secondary
outcomes comprised changes in cardiac structure and EF. Prespecified tertiary outcomes
included changes in New York Heat Association (NYHA) functional class and quality of life
(QoL), as well as levels of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) and N-terminal pro-brain
natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP).