Cytokine profile in chronic heart failure

The relationship of cytokines, interleukin-1β and receptor antagonist of interleukin-1, and the severity and nature of chronic heart failure in patients with coronary heart disease was evaluated. We examined 94 patients with CHF. In patients with a favorable clinical course, IL-1β levels significantly decreased by the end of the observation, whereas in patients with an unfavorable course, in contrast, they tended to increase. It is established that a decline in IL-1 Ra occurs with increasing severity of heart failure and is accompanied by increased levels of proinflammatory cytokines IL-1β. The levels of cytokines IL-1β and IL-1 Ra in the serum are interrelated with the severity and course of CHF. Determination of the levels of IL-1β and IL-1 Ra in the serum can be recommended for early prediction of severity and nature of CHF.