Increased concentrations of inflammatory mediators in unstable angina: correlation with serum troponin T

OBJECTIVE To measure plasma interferon γ, monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1), and interleukin 6 and to assess their correlation with cardiac troponin T in unstable angina. DESIGN Blood sampling in patients undergoing coronary arteriography for known or suspected ischaemic heart disease. PATIENTS 76 patients divided in three groups: 29 with unstable angina (group 1), 28 with stable angina (group 2), and 19 without ischaemic heart disease and with angiographically normal coronary arteries (group 3). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Plasma interleukin 6, interferon γ, MCP-1, and troponin T in the three groups of patients. RESULTS Interleukin 6 was increased in group 1 (median 2.19 (range 0.53–50.84) pg/ml) compared with the control group (1.62 (0.79–3.98) pg/ml) (p