Immunoadsorption in dilated cardiomyopathy: 6-month results from a randomized study.

Background: Various randomized studies evidenced that immunoadsorption (IA) repeated at monthly intervals induced acute and prolonged hemodynamic benefit in patients with severe heart failure due to dilated cardiomyopathy. Some findings indicate that the use of only one course of IA therapy may also induce prolonged beneficial effects.

Methods: This randomized study included 22 patients suffering from severe heart failure (left ventricular ejection fraction [LVEF] <35%) due to dilated cardiomyopathy.

Effects of immunoadsorption on the nt-BNP and nt-ANP plasma levels of patients suffering from dilated cardiomyopathy.

Immunoadsorption (IA) represents an additional therapeutic approach in patients with severe heart failure due to dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). nt-BNP and nt-ANP plasma levels are prognostic markers in patients with heart failure. The effect of IA on nt-BNP and nt-ANP plasma levels is unknown.

Role of immunoglobulin G3 subclass in dilated cardiomyopathy: results from protein A immunoadsorption.

Background: Immunoadsorption (IA) by anti-immunoglobulin G (anti-IgG) columns that effectively eliminates total IgG, including IgG3 subclass, represents an additional therapeutic approach in dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). A recent study revealed that IA with protein A columns does not effectively remove IgG3 and does not induce hemodynamic improvement in DCM.

Methods: Eighteen patients with DCM (left ventricular ejection fraction < or =30%) were included in this case-control study.

Potential role of humoral immunity in cardiac dysfunction of patients suffering from dilated cardiomyopathy.

Objectives: This research was conducted to evaluate the role played by the humoral immune system in cardiac dysfunction among dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) patients, as enabled by immunoadsorption therapy (IA) that effectively removes functionally active cardiac autoantibodies from plasma.

Background: Various circulating autoantibodies have been detected among patients suffering from DCM.

Methods: Before IA, antibodies were purified from plasma of 45 DCM patients (left ventricular ejection fraction [LVEF] <30%).

Beta1-adrenoceptor antibodies induce apoptosis in adult isolated cardiomyocytes.

beta(1)-Adrenoceptor autoantibodies are present in about 30% of patients suffering from dilated cardiomyopathy. The apoptotic effects mediated by beta(1)-adrenoceptor antibodies remain to be studied. Monoclonal antibodies were raised against a synthetic peptide corresponding to the second extracellular loop of the human beta(1)-adrenoceptor in balb/C mouse, and were characterized by enzyme immunoassay.

[Cytokines--causes, players or bystanders in heart failure].

Background: Cytokines are important mediators of the immune system and are of pathophysiological relevance for different cardiac diseases. Currently, 18 cytokines carrying the name interleukin (IL) are known; they can be subdivided into pro- and anti-inflammatory interleukins.

Cardiac Cytokines: They partly act in a negative inotropic manner and cause destruction of cardiomyocytes resulting in myocardial fibrosis.