Cardiac Release of Cytokines and Inflammatory Responses in Acute Myocardial Infarction

Background In animal models of myocardial infarction (MI), inflammatory responses compromise microcirculation during reperfusion and restrict functional recovery. To investigate cardiac inflammatory responses in patients with acute MI, we examined the cardiac release of cytokines, the expression on neutrophils of the β2-integrin Mac-1 (CD11b/CD18) and L-selectin (CD62L), and the cardiac release of thrombomodulin as a marker of endothelial injury. Methods and Results In 12 patients with acute anterior MI, blood samples were obtained from the coronary sinus and from the aorta immediately before and after recanalization of the coronary occlusion by balloon angioplasty. Twelve patients undergoing elective balloon angioplasty served as control subjects. Plasma concentrations of interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, IL-8, tumor necrosis factor-α, and thrombomodulin were determined by immunoassay, and surface expression of CD11b and CD62L was assessed by flow cytometry. Differences in coronary sinus and arterial blood were...