As a result of ongoing demographic changes and an ageing population, the overall number of patients with heart failure (HF) has significantly increased. It is estimated that more than 60 million people suffer from HF worldwide with a corresponding HF prevalence of 1–4 % [1,2]. Despite improved HF-related therapies, including coronary revascularization, increasing use of cardiac implantable electrical devices (CIED) and pharmacotherapies, congestive HF is still characterized by 1-year mortality rates of 6–36 % and varies significantly related to heterogenous populations and inclusion criteria within previous studies [3-5].
