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Immunosuppressive therapy in inflammatory cardiomyopathy

A. Frustaci*, M. Pieroni and C. Chimenti

Cardiology Department, Catholic University, Rome, Italy

* Correspondence: Andrea Frustaci, MD, Cardiology Department, Catholic University, Largo A. Gemelli 8, 00168 Rome, Italy.

Abstract

The role of immunosuppressive treatment in inflammatory cardiomyopathy is still controversial. Nevertheless, it is recommended in patients with eosinophilic myocarditis, granulomatous myocarditis, giant-cell myocarditis and lymphocytic myocarditis associated with connective tissue diseases or with rejection of a transplanted heart. There is growing evidence that some patients with idiopathic active myocarditis and cardiac dysfunction may benefit from immunosuppression. In the present review we define, through analysis of recent reports and the results of our own studies, the biological markers of candidates for immunosuppression.

Key Words: Autoantibodies • immunosuppression • inflammatory cardiomyopathy • viruses

References

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