Systemic inflammation and cell activation reflects morbidity in chronic heart failure

► We report changes to a number of circulating inflammatory markers in CHF patients. ► NYHA classification is positively associated with plasma TGF-β, IL-10 and monocytes. ► Expression of CD11b/CD18 was increased while CXCR1 was decreased on cells in CHF. ► Monocyte number was also identified as a prognostic factor for adverse events. ► These changes in peripheral blood may act as novel biomarkers in CHF.