Coronary artery disease and other possible causes of myocardial dysfunction (hypertension, valvular disease) had been excluded by angiography prior to EMB in all patients. We further excluded patients with anti-viral, immunomodulatory, or immunosuppressive
therapy within the last 6 months, clinical or biochemical
evidence of the presence of concomitant chronic inflammatory
disease, chronic renal insufficiency (creatinine ≥ 1.4 mmol/l), or
malignant disease