Inflammation and autoimmune mechanisms are involved in the development of clinical myocarditis and dilated cardiomyopathy, and may play a role in the progression of congestive heart failure.
Highlights the role of inflammation and autoimmune mechanisms in the pathogenesis of myocarditis, dilated cardiomyopathy, and heart failure, suggesting potential therapeutic targets.
Inflammation and autoimmune mechanisms are involved in the development of clinical myocarditis and dilated cardiomyopathy, and may also play a role in the progression of congestive heart failure, regardless of aetiology. New molecular biological and immunohistological methods have confirmed the persistence of viral infection in patients with myocarditis as well as in those with a diagnosis of idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy. A causal link between viral myocarditis and the development of dilated cardiomyopathy has been proposed but remains to be confirmed. This may have prognostic implications and lead to new therapies such as immunosuppression, immunomodulation and antiviral therapies in cardiomyopathy and myocarditis. More recently it has been found that inflammatory reactions are also involved in the progression of congestive heart failure, regardless of aetiology.
P HJALMARSON (Fri,) conducted a review in Myocarditis, dilated cardiomyopathy, and congestive heart failure. Inflammation and autoimmune mechanisms are involved in the development of clinical myocarditis and dilated cardiomyopathy, and may play a role in the progression of congestive heart failure.