The heart is imbued with a vast lymphatic network which is responsible for fluid homeostasis and immune cell trafficking. Disturbances in the forces that regulate microvascular fluid movement can result in myocardial edema, which has pro-fibrotic and pro-inflammatory consequences and contributes to cardiovascular dysfunction. This review explores the complex relationship between cardiac lymphatics, myocardial edema and cardiac disease. It covers the revised paradigm of microvascular forces and fluid movement around the capillary, as well as the arsenal of preclinical tools and animal models used to model myocardial edema and cardiac disease. Clinical studies of myocardial edema and their prognostic significance are examined in parallel to the recent elegant animal studies discerning the pathophysiological role and therapeutic potential of cardiac lymphatics in different cardiovascular disease models. This review highlights the outstanding questions of interest to both basic scientists and clinicians regarding the roles of cardiac lymphatics in health and disease.

中文翻译：

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心脏淋巴管的潮起潮落：新发现的潮汐

心脏充满了庞大的淋巴网络，负责液体稳态和免疫细胞运输。调节微血管流体运动的力的紊乱可导致心肌水肿，其具有促纤维化和促炎性后果并导致心血管功能障碍。本综述探讨了心脏淋巴管、心肌水肿和心脏病之间的复杂关系。它涵盖了微血管力和毛细血管周围流体运动的修订范例，以及用于模拟心肌水肿和心脏病的临床前工具和动物模型库。心肌水肿的临床研究及其预后意义与最近的优雅动物研究同时进行，以辨别心脏淋巴管在不同心血管疾病模型中的病理生理学作用和治疗潜力。这篇综述强调了基础科学家和临床医生都感兴趣的关于心脏淋巴管在健康和疾病中的作用的突出问题。