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The role of lymphatic vessels in the heart

Yingjie Cui1

  • 1Case Cardiovascular Research Institute, Department of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106-7290, United States; University Hospitals Harrington-McLaughlin Heart & Vascular Institute, University Hospitals Case Medical Center, WRB 4-537, 2103 Cornell Road, Cleveland, OH 44106-7290, United States.

Pathophysiology : the Official Journal of the International Society for Pathophysiology
|November 28, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Cardiac lymphatic vessels are crucial for heart health. Impaired lymph flow contributes to heart injury, while improved flow aids recovery after heart attack, highlighting their therapeutic potential.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Biology
  • Lymphatic System Research
  • Cardiac Pathophysiology

Background:

  • Cardiac lymphatic vessels, known for centuries, remain understudied due to technological limitations in animal models and imaging.
  • Research on cardiac lymphatics' role in physiology and disease pathogenesis has been slow.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the evidence linking cardiac lymph flow to cardiac injury and function.
  • To explore hypotheses on the mechanisms generating cardiac lymph flow.
  • To discuss the role of lymphatic remodeling in vascular injury.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing animal and human heart studies.
  • Analysis of hypotheses regarding forces generating cardiac lymph flow.
  • Discussion of perivascular lymphatic remodeling mechanisms.

Main Results:

  • Blocking cardiac lymph flow is associated with cardiac lymphedema, valvular deformation, coronary injury, conduction disturbances, myocardial injury, and reduced heart performance.
  • Improving cardiac lymph flow may benefit heart function post-myocardial infarction.

Conclusions:

  • Cardiac lymphatic dysfunction contributes significantly to cardiac pathology.
  • Understanding cardiac lymph flow generation and lymphatic remodeling is vital for developing new cardiac therapies.

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