New insights about the lymphatic vasculature in cardiovascular diseases

The heart contains a complex network of blood and lymphatic vessels. The coronary blood vessels provide the cardiac tissue with oxygen and nutrients and have been the major focus of research for the past few decades. Cardiac lymphatic vessels, which consist of lymphatic capillaries and collecting lymphatic vessels covering all layers of the heart, transport excess fluid from the interstitium and play important roles in maintaining tissue fluid balance. Unlike for the coronary blood vessels, until a few years ago, not much information was available on the origin and function of the cardiac-associated lymphatic vasculature. A growing body of evidence indicates that cardiac lymphatic vessels (lymphatics) may serve as a therapeutic cardiovascular target.