New insights in research about acute ischemic myocardial injury and inflammation.

Recognition that inflammation may contribute to the pathogenesis of various cardiac diseases has naturally led to the evaluation of the therapeutic potential of a range of anti-inflammatory approaches. Unfortunately, results in most settings have been disappointing. The majority of novel approaches fail despite promising preclinical data, partly attributable to off-target effects. The purpose of this review, focused on inflammation following acute myocardial ischemia, is to give a brief overview of the new insights regarding research on pro-inflammatory signaling cascades that could be targeted for cardioprotective therapeutic developments.