Prognostic value of interleukin-8 as a predictor of heart failure in patients with myocardial infarction and percutaneous intervention.

Background: Recent studies have shown that pro-inflammatory cytokines play a significant contributory role in the pathogenesis of the acute heart failure. The purpose of this study was to determine whether the serum IL-8 concentration in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI), who were undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) was related to the subsequent presence or absence of heart failure.
Methods: The study included 50 patients who underwent successful PCI. During their subsequent stay in the coronary care unit, their maximum degree of heart failure was recorded. Patients were then divided into two groups: group A (Killip I) and group B (Killip class > I). The serum IL-8 concentration was measured during the 24 h following admission to the coronary care unit.
Results: Serum levels of IL-8 in the group B were significantly higher than those of group A (P < 0.001). By multivariante analysis a higher level of IL-8 was a significant predictor of heart failure after PCI.
Conclusions: Serum levels of IL-8 after PCI appear to be a predictor for the development of heart failure in patients with AMI.