Macrophages are essential components of the immune system and play a role in the normal functioning of the cardiovascular system. Depending on their origin and phenotype, cardiac macrophages perform various functions. In a steady-state, these cells play a beneficial role in maintaining cardiac homeostasis by defending the body from pathogens and eliminating apoptotic cells, participating in electrical conduction, vessel patrolling, and arterial tone regulation. However, macrophages also take part in adverse cardiac remodeling that could lead to the development and progression of heart failure (HF) in such HF comorbidities as hypertension, obesity, diabetes, and myocardial infarction. Nevertheless, studies on detailed mechanisms of cardiac macrophage function are still in progress, and could enable potential therapeutic applications of these cells. This review aims to present the latest reports on the origin, heterogeneity, and functions of cardiac macrophages in the healthy heart and in cardiovascular diseases leading to HF. The potential therapeutic use of macrophages is also briefly discussed.

巨噬细胞是免疫系统的重要组成部分，在心血管系统的正常功能中发挥作用。根据它们的起源和表型，心脏巨噬细胞执行各种功能。在稳定状态下，这些细胞通过保护身体免受病原体侵害和消除凋亡细胞、参与电传导、血管巡逻和动脉张力调节，在维持心脏稳态方面发挥有益作用。然而，巨噬细胞也参与了不利的心脏重塑，这可能导致高血压、肥胖、糖尿病和心肌梗塞等心衰合并症中心力衰竭 (HF) 的发展和进展。然而，关于心脏巨噬细胞功能的详细机制的研究仍在进行中，并且可能使这些细胞的潜在治疗应用成为可能。本综述旨在提供有关心脏巨噬细胞在健康心脏和导致 HF 的心血管疾病中的起源、异质性和功能的最新报告。还简要讨论了巨噬细胞的潜在治疗用途。