RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Heart failure is a fever: The cytokine connection
JF Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine
JO Cleve Clin J Med
FD Cleveland Clinic
SP 801
OP 803
VO 67
IS 11
A2 William S. Wilke
A1 James B. Young
YR 2000
UL http://www.ccjm.org/content/67/11/801.abstract
AB Inflammation probably contributes to the development and progress of heart failure. Proteins called cytokines, which are produced by damaged tissues and leukocytes as part of the inflammatory response, affect the heart both directly and indirectly. They exacerbate hemodynamic imbalances, act as negative inotropes, stimulate left ventricular hypertrophy, and promote the production of still more cytokines, which continue the cycle. Several medications counter these effects in vitro, and some are in clinical testing.