[Autoimmune mechanisms in cardiovascular diseases].

Heart diseases are a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Autoimmune mechanisms play a key role in the pathogenesis of several cardiovascular diseases. This article reviews the autoimmune basis of heart failure, dilated cardiomyopathy, atherosclerosis, Chagas' disease, myocarditis and rheumatic fever. Understanding autoimmunity in heart diseases may be important in treating patients and in the development of novel drugs. Nevertheless, further research is warranted in order to shed light on predisposition for such autoimmune responses.