title: Myocardial interleukin-6 in the setting of left ventricular mechanical assistance: relation with outcome and C-reactive protein.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In left ventricular assist device (LVAD) recipients, plasma levels of interleukin (IL)-6 are associated with Interagency Registry for Mechanically Assisted Circulatory Support (INTERMACS) profiles, reflecting post-operative risk. However, it is not clear how the cardiac level of IL-6, detectable on the tissue samples at the time of implantation, can contribute to predict the post-operative outcome.
  
  
  METHODS
  In 40 LVAD recipients, blood and myocardial samples from LV-apex were collected at the time of implantation to assess plasma and cardiac IL-6 levels. Serum C-reactive protein (CRP) levels were considered as inflammatory variable routinely used in LVAD-based therapy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Cardiac IL-6 levels did not correlate with either plasma IL-6 levels (R=0.296, p=0.063) and tissue IL-6 mRNA expression (R=-0.013, p=0.954). Contrary to what happened for the plasma IL-6 and CRP, no differences were observed in cardiac IL-6 levels with respect to INTERMACS profiles (p=0.090). Furthermore, cardiac IL-6 concentrations, unlike IL-6 and CRP circulating levels, were not correlated with the length of intensive care unit stay and hospitalization.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Cardiac IL-6 levels do not contribute to improve risk profile of LVAD recipients in relation to clinical inpatient post-implantation. Instead, plasma IL-6 and serum CRP concentrations are more effective in predicting the severity of the clinical course in the early phase of LVAD therapy.
authors.forename: Raffaele
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Caruso
authors.forename: Chiara
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Caselli
authors.forename: Lorena
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Cozzi
authors.forename: Jonica
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Campolo
authors.forename: Federica
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Viglione
authors.forename: Marina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Parolini
authors.forename: Sandra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Nonini
authors.forename: Salvatore
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Trunfio
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: D'Amico
authors.forename: Gualtiero
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Pelosi
authors.forename: Daniela
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Giannessi
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Marraccini
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Frigerio
authors.forename: Oberdan
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Parodi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006353:Heart-Assist Devices; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D007362:Intensive Care Units; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009206:Myocardium / Q000378:metabolism*; D011184:Postoperative Period; D018570:Risk Assessment; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: C508600:IL6 protein, human; D015850:Interleukin-6; D002097:C-Reactive Protein