The value of serum interleukin-6 measurement in the investigation of patients suspected of myocardial infarction

Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is one of the cytokine mediators of the acute phase response. The value of IL-6 determination in the investigation of patients suspected of acute myocardial infarction and unstable angina is not fully established. In 26 patients being investigated for AMI and UA, IL-6, Creatine Kinase (CK) and Troponin T (TnT) were elevated with peak values at 12 hours (for IL-6 and CK) and at 0 and 24 hours (for TnT) following admission. CK values in AMI were significantly different from UA patients at 0, 6, 12, and 25 hours following admission, whereas, IL-6 values showed significant difference only at 24 hours. TnT showed a significant difference between the groups at 0 and 24 hours following admission. There was poor negative correlation between IL-6 and CK levels and percentage left ventricular ejection fraction. This study showed that, although IL-6 was elevated in AMI and UA patients, the spread of the data indicated that its measurement is of limited value in the diagnosis of AMI.