Despite advances in detection and treatment of coronary artery disease, and numerous campaigns to promote healthier lifestyles, ischaemic heart disease (IHD) remains very common worldwide but particularly in the West of Scotland. Following a heart attack, the main pumping chamber - the left ventricle (LV) - will be significantly damaged in around 40% of patients to the extent that it fails to pump as effectively as before. Despite current medical treatment, this failing LV slowly but continuously deteriorates with time (this is known as LV remodelling), which can lead to "heart failure".