The cardiac lymphatic system.

The lymphatic system, a network of vessels carrying clear interstitial fluid called lymph, is found throughout the human body. The system maintains homeostasis, receiving proteins and excess fluid from the interstitial tissues, and returning them to the venous system. Understanding of lymphatic drainage remains important in the diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment of diseases, including the metastasis of malignant diseases. Information specific to the cardiac lymphatics is scarce. Indeed, quite often the topic is not even mentioned in many medical textbooks. The goal of our review is to compile and analyze the information currently available concerning the cardiac lymphatics, hoping further to demonstrate the clinical importance of this neglected system.