“…The inclusion criteria were (1) signed informed consent; (2) age ≥18 years, (3) chronic congestive HF, (4) left ventricular ejection fraction ≤40% measured within 2 days before the study, (5) serum NT‐pro‐BNP (N‐terminal probrain natriuretic peptide) ≥500 ng/L measured within 2 days before the study, and (6) GFR estimated (Modification of Diet in Renal Disease)15 or measured ( 51 Cr‐EDTA [chromium ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid]) between 30 and 80 mL/min. The exclusion criteria were (1) untreated acute HF, (2) systolic blood pressure <100 mm Hg, (3) heart rate >100 beats/min, (4) Canadian Cardiovascular Society class III angina pectoris or higher, (5) aortic stenosis, (6) hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, (7) restrictive cardiomyopathy, (8) presence of kidney disease diagnosed before HF, (9) administration of radiographic contrast within the previous week, (10) radiographic contrast allergy, and (11) the opinion of the investigator that the prospective study participant had a clinically significant disease that could be adversely affected by study participation.…”