Open AccessInflammatory Biomarkers in Heart Failure
Author(s) -
Petersen John W.,
Felker G. Michael
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
congestive heart failure
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1751-7133
pISSN - 1527-5299
DOI - 10.1111/j.1527-5299.2006.05595.x
Subject(s) - heart failure , medicine , inflammation , tumor necrosis factor alpha , cytokine , proinflammatory cytokine , interleukin , interleukin 6 , inflammatory response , immunology , bioinformatics , biology
Multiple lines of evidence support the “cytokine hypothesis,” which suggests that inflammation plays an important role in the development and progression of heart failure. Circulating markers of inflammation, such as tumor necrosis factor α, interleukin 6, and C‐reactive protein, may be useful in establishing the diagnosis, gauging prognosis, and evaluating the response to therapy in patients with heart failure. In addition to their potential as heart failure biomarkers, inflammatory cytokines have been investigated as targets of heart failure therapy. Although results for therapies directed against specific cytokines (such as tumor necrosis factor α) have thus far been disappointing, multiple studies continue to address the therapeutic potential of modulating the immune response in heart failure. In this review, the authors analyze available data supporting the use of inflammatory markers both as biomarkers and as potential therapeutic targets.