Significance: An inflammatory response follows an injury of any nature, and while such a response is an attempt to promote healing, it may, itself, result in further injury.
Recent advances: The inflammasome is a macromolecular structure recently recognized as a central mediator in the acute inflammatory response. The inflammasome senses the injury and it amplifies the response by leading to the release of powerful pro-inflammatory cytokines, interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and IL-18.
Critical issues: The activation of the inflammasome in the heart during ischemic and nonischemic injury represents an exaggerated response to sterile injury and promotes adverse cardiac remodeling and failure.
Future directions: Pilot clinical trials have explored blockade of the inflammasome-derived IL-1β and have shown beneficial effects on cardiac function. Additional clinical studies testing this approach are warranted. Moreover, specific inflammasome inhibitors that are ready for clinical use are currently lacking.