J Card Fail. 2008 Feb;14(1):61-74. Cytokines and myocardial dysfunction: state of the art. El-Menyar AA.

BACKGROUND: Myocardial dysfunction has been associated with inflammation and cytokine modulation. OBJECTIVES: The study objective was to understand the role of cytokines in the pathophysiology and management of myocardial dysfunction. METHODS: Heart failure has been revisited with revision of the pertinent published articles in the Medline, Scopus, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, and EBSCO Host research. RESULTS: For the proinflammatory cytokines, illumination of this important point requires further diagnostic and therapeutic investigations. Data on chronic heart failure are not so reassuring; therefore, patients with advanced heart failure should not be treated with anticytokines at this time. CONCLUSION: Further studies are warranted to pave the way for introducing cytokine and immunomodulation therapy at the optimal and appropriate time