The neurohumoral system is critical to the pathophysiology of atherosclerosis and congestive heart failure; cytokines are elevated in unstable angina and heart failure. Cytokineneurohumoral system interaction can be considered a pathophysiologic hallmark of certain cardiovascular diseases. Although interaction between, eg, the renin-angiotensin system and proinflammatory cytokines has yet to be demonstrated at cellular or molecular level, there is accumulating circumstantial evidence that the protective effect of chronic angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibition against cardiovascular events is mediated, directly or indirectly, by the cytokines involved in remodeling of the atherosclerotic plaque and myocardium. Not least, interaction is providing a promising focus for new treatment concepts in atherosclerosis and heart failure...