NLRP3 and heart failure: There is increasing evidence that links the nucleotide-binding and leucine-rich repeat pyrin domains protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome and its stimulation of cytokine secretion with the pathogenesis of various cardiovascular diseases, including atherosclerosis, acute myocardial infarction (AMI), acute myocarditis, and progression to heart failure (HF).