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Updated: Jul 9, 2026

Measurement of Antibody Effects on Cellular Function of Isolated Cardiomyocytes
Published on: March 8, 2013
[Immunoadsorption for treatment of dilated cardiomyopathy]
1Klinik und Poliklinik für Innere Medizin B, Ernst-Moritz-Arndt-Universität Greifswald, Friedrich-Loeffler Strasse 23a, 17475, Greifswald, Deutschland. felix@uni-greifswald.de
Abstract:
Abnormalities of the cellular and humoral immune system have been described in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). For patients with DCM, immunochemical analyses of myocardial biopsies have demonstrated myocardial inflammation. Various circulating cardiac antibodies have been detected among DCM patients. Circulating antibodies are extractable by immunoadsorption. Recent open controlled pilot studies showed that removal of antibodies by immunoadsorption induces improvement of cardiac function in DCM. Furthermore, it decreases myocardial inflammation. This may offer a new therapeutic option for patients with severe heart failure due to dilated cardiomyopathy.
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