The Present and Future
JACC Review Topic of the Week
Lymphatic Dysregulation in Patients With Heart Failure: JACC Review Topic of the Week

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jacc.2021.04.090Get rights and content
Under an Elsevier user license
open archive

Highlights

  • The lymphatic system is integral to volume hemostasis.

  • The lymphatic system is involved in many of the clinical manifestations of HF.

  • In patients with HF, therapeutic targeting of the lymphatic system could reduce congestive symptoms.

Abstract

The lymphatic system is an integral part of the circulatory system and plays an important role in the volume homeostasis of the human body. The complex anatomy and physiology paired with a lack of simple diagnostic tools to study the lymphatic system have led to an underappreciation of the contribution of the lymphatic system to acute and chronic heart failure (HF). Herein, we discuss the physiological role of the lymphatic system in volume management and the evidence demonstrating the dysregulation of the lymphatic system in HF. Further, we discuss the opportunity to target the lymphatic system in the management of HF and different potential approaches to accessing the lymphatic system.

Key Words

congestion
heart failure
lymphatic system

Abbreviations and Acronyms

CRS
cardiorenal syndrome
CVP
central venous pressure
HF
heart failure
PCWP
pulmonary capillary wedge pressure
SMC
smooth muscle cells

Cited by (0)

Listen to this manuscript's audio summary by Editor-in-Chief Dr. Valentin Fuster on JACC.org.

Anita Deswal, MD, served as Guest Associate Editor for this paper. Christie Ballantyne, MD, served as Guest Editor-in-Chief for this paper.

The authors attest they are in compliance with human studies committees and animal welfare regulations of the authors’ institutions and Food and Drug Administration guidelines, including patient consent where appropriate. For more information, visit the Author Center.