Quantifying inflammation using interleukin‐6 for improved phenotyping and risk stratification in acute heart failure

Abstract

Systemic inflammation may be central in the pathophysiology of acute heart failure (AHF). We aimed to assess the possible role of systemic inflammation in the pathophysiology, phenotyping, and risk stratification of patients with AHF.

Reply to ‘Interleukin‐6 in acute heart failure: it does work, but how much?’

“…We wish to thank Wang and colleagues for their interest in our work investigating the role of systemic inflammation, as quantified by interleukin-6, in the pathophysiology, phenotyping, and risk stratification of patients with acute heart failure (AHF). 1 We fully agree with Wang and colleagues that the association of interleukin-6 with cardiovascular death as additional endpoint should also be explored. All-cause mortality, which was the primary endpoint in our study, is the most commonly used and most important endpoint in heart failure (HF) trials.…”

February 2023 at a glance: focus on pathophysiology and treatment

“…Leptin, fatty acid-binding protein 4, interleukin-1 receptor antagonist, tumour necrosis factor receptor superfamily member 11 and proto-oncogene tyrosine-protein kinase receptor Ret were the most elevated in patients with metabolic syndrome, showing the involvement of inflammatory activation. 12 Michou et al 13 quantified systemic inflammation using a novel interleukin-6 immunoassay in 2042 unselected patients presenting at the emergency department with acute dyspnoea. Half of these patients had a diagnosis of acute HF and presented higher levels of interleukin-6 compared to patients with other causes of dyspnoea.…”

Interleukin‐6 in acute heart failure: it does work, but how much? Letter regarding the article ‘Quantifying inflammation using interleukin‐6 for improved phenotyping and risk stratification in acute heart failure’

“…In brief, the study, which comprised 2042 patients presenting with acute dyspnoea, including 1026 patients with AHF, demonstrated that a very high proportion (83.7%) of patients with AHF had elevated IL-6 levels and IL-6 was an independent predictor of 1-year all-cause mortality. 1 We appreciate the valuable findings of Michou et al 1 Systemic inflammation is recognized to play a vital role in heart failure. 2 The study by Michou et al 1 adds strong and direct evidence for the association between inflammation and prognosis in patients with AHF.…”

“…1 We appreciate the valuable findings of Michou et al 1 Systemic inflammation is recognized to play a vital role in heart failure. 2 The study by Michou et al 1 adds strong and direct evidence for the association between inflammation and prognosis in patients with AHF. However, we thought to discuss two important issues.…”

“…We read with great interest the article by Michou et al 1 published in this Journal. This study aimed to investigate the role of systemic inflammation, as quantified by interleukin-6 (IL-6), in the pathophysiology, phenotyping, and risk stratification of patients with acute heart failure (AHF).…”