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Updated: Jun 12, 2026

Characterization of Immune Cells and Proinflammatory Mediators in the Pulmonary Environment
Published on: June 24, 2020
The cardiopulmonary continuum systemic inflammation as 'common soil' of heart and lung disease
Christian Ukena1, Felix Mahfoud1, Michael Kindermann1
1Klinik für Innere Medizin III, Universitätsklinikum des Saarlandes, Homburg/Saar, Germany.
Abstract:
Coronary artery disease (CAD), chronic heart failure (CHF) or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) occur commonly in the presence of each other and are associated with similar systemic inflammatory reactions. Inflammation plays a central role in the pathogenesis of these diseases. C-reactive protein (CRP) could represent the sentinel biomarker to all chronic diseases. Also, interleukin (IL)-6 may play a causal role in systemic inflammatory diseases. These complex interactions between heart and lung can be denoted as 'cardiopulmonary continuum'. Common risk factors induce systemic inflammatory processes which lead to progression of atherosclerotic diseases as well as COPD.
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