How do serum cytokine levels change in myocarditis and inflammatory dilated cardiomyopathy relative to healthy individuals? A protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Introduction: Myocarditis is an inflammatory heart disease resulting from infections, toxic exposures or autoimmune reactions. Irrespective of the factors responsible for this disease, cytokines play an important role in regulating the immunological response involved in its development and progression. Accordingly, this protocol aims to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis summarising previous research on serum and plasma levels of cytokines in patients with myocarditis and inflammatory dilated cardiomyopathy.