Heart failure is a common and serious condition that leads to high rates of hospitalizations and death. Despite advances in treatment, these rates remain high. In recent years, there has been growing recognition of the role inflammation plays in heart failure.
This thesis of Lukas Baumhove explores how inflammation affects the progression of heart failure and investigates potential new treatment options. The findings show that substances like interleukin-6 (IL-6) and interleukin-17 (IL-17), which are involved in inflammatory responses, play a key role in how patients respond to treatments like diuretics. Higher levels of these substances are linked to worse outcomes for patients. The results suggest that inflammation is not just a consequence of heart failure but also contributes to the worsening of the disease. Additionally, changes in immune cells, such as an increased presence of certain receptors, are found to contribute to chronic inflammation and disease progression.
This thesis highlights the possibility of targeted treatments that focus on inflammatory substances as a promising therapy. Such treatments could help slow the disease and improve patient prognosis. Future research should focus on better understanding the different inflammatory profiles in patients so that treatments can be more personalized and effective.
