Background: Cytokines have been shown to be associated with heart failure and to have multiple biological effects that can lead to left ventricular dysfunction, pulmonaryedema, and left ventricular remodeling. However, the effects of different cytokines, separately and in combination have not been fully determined. We aim to evaluate the levels of both pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines in patients with congestive heart failure (CHF), as well as in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) and compare them to levels in normal controls (individuals without CHF or CAD) as to suggest their possible etiologic role.