The Interleukin-1 Axis and Risk of Death in Patients With Acutely Decompensated Heart Failure

Abstract Background Soluble ST2 (sST2), which is the soluble form of interleukin (IL)-1 receptor-like 1, identifies risk in acutely decompensated heart failure (ADHF). IL-1β is an inflammatory cytokine that has deleterious effects in myocardial remodeling and function. IL-1β inhibition has beneficial effects after acute myocardial infarction. However, the role of IL-1β in ADHF and its relationship to ST2 remain unclear. Objectives This study sought to investigate the relationship between IL-1β and sST2, and the prognostic impact of such a relationship in patients with ADHF. Methods This study examined 316 consecutive patients who were hospitalized with ADHF (72 ± 12 years of age, 57% male, and left ventricular ejection fraction 45 ± 17%). Blood samples were collected at presentation, and IL-1β and sST2 levels were measured. All-cause mortality was obtained for all patients at 1 year. Results The IL-1β concentration at presentation was associated with prior HF hospitalizations, functional impairment, and higher N-terminal pro–B-type natriuretic peptide and high-sensitivity troponin T concentrations. IL-1β was higher in patients who died during the year after hospitalization (n = 52, 16.5%) (p = 0.005), and the optimal threshold was identified with levels over 49.1 pg/ml (hazard ratio: 2.5; 95% confidence interval: 1.43 to 4.49; p = 0.0014). Circulating IL-1β positively correlated with sST2 (ρ = 0.65; p  Conclusions Circulating IL-1β concentrations are clinically meaningful in ADHF patients and interplay with the predictive ability of sST2. IL-1 axis-related inflammation signaling may represent a therapeutic target in ADHF.