Key result
Elevated baseline IL-1β levels (3.2 vs 1.8 pg/mL, p<0.001) and persistent IL-6 elevation were significantly associated with major adverse cardiac events at 12 months in STEMI patients.
Why the study?
The clinical utility of the complex cytokine interactions in the inflammatory cascade following STEMI remains undefined.
Observational (n=312)
p-value: p=<0.001
Early-phase cytokine profiling, particularly IL-1β at presentation and IL-6 kinetics, provides incremental prognostic information for MACE in STEMI patients beyond traditional risk markers.
Elevated IL-1 may aid MACE risk stratification post-event; extends inflammatory biomarker data in an RCT cohort.
Background: The inflammatory cascade following ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) involves complex cytokine interactions whose clinical utility remains undefined. We characterized the temporal dynamics of serum cytokine networks and their prognostic value for major adverse cardiac events (MACE). Methods: In this prospective observational study, 312 consecutive STEMI patients undergoing primary PCI were enrolled. Serial serum samples were obtained at admission (T0), 6 hours (T6), 24 hours (T24), and 72 hours (T72) post-PCI. A 15-plex cytokine panel was analyzed using high-sensitivity electrochemiluminescence. Patients were followed for 12 months for MACE (cardiac death, reinfarction, heart failure hospitalization). Results: Distinct cytokine trajectories were identified. IL-6 peaked earliest at T6 (median 34.2 pg/mL, IQR 18.7--52.1), while IL-8 peaked at T24 (22.4 pg/mL, IQR 15.3--31.8). Patients who developed MACE (n=48, 15.4%) exhibited significantly higher IL-1β at T0 (3.2 vs 1.8 pg/mL, p<0.001), persistent IL-6 elevation, and a blunted IL-10 response. Network analysis revealed stronger pro-inflammatory connectivity in MACE patients. Conclusion: Early-phase cytokine profiling, particularly IL-1β at presentation and IL-6 kinetics, provides incremental prognostic information beyond traditional risk markers. These findings support cytokine-guided risk stratification in acute MI.
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Chen et al. (2026) conducted an observational in ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) (n=312). Elevated baseline IL-1β and early-phase cytokine profiling vs. Lower cytokine levels was evaluated on Major adverse cardiac events (cardiac death, reinfarction, heart failure hospitalization) (p=<0.001). Elevated baseline IL-1β levels (3.2 vs 1.8 pg/mL, p<0.001) and persistent IL-6 elevation were significantly associated with major adverse cardiac events at 12 months in STEMI patients.
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