Measurement of biomarkers in patients with systolic HF (either ischemic or nonischemic) and animal studies has demonstrated an elevation in proinflammatory cytokines (such as TNF-α, IL-1, IL-6, galectin 3, TNF receptor 1, and TNF receptor 2), during HF progression supporting the hypothesis that inflammation may contribute to HF. The gene discussed is IL1B; the disease is hydrops fetalis.