Immunopharmacology of Post-Myocardial Infarction and Heart Failure Medications.

The immune system responds to acute tissue damage after myocardial infarction (MI) and orchestrates healing and recovery of the heart. However, excessive inflammation may lead to additional tissue damage and fibrosis and exacerbate subsequent functional impairment, leading to heart failure. The appreciation of the immune system as a crucial factor after MI has led to a surge of clinical trials investigating the potential benefits of immunomodulatory agents previously used in hyper-inflammatory conditions, such as autoimmune disease.