Do interleukin-1β levels correlate with MIBG and exercise parameters in heart failure?

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Immunology
• Physiology

Background:

• Interleukin 1β (IL 1β) levels are recognized prognostic markers in heart failure.
• Cardiac adrenergic activity, assessed via I123 MIBG scintigraphy, and exercise parameters are key predictors of heart failure prognosis.
• The precise relationship between IL 1β, cardiac adrenergic activity, and exercise parameters in heart failure remains incompletely understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between Interleukin 1β (IL 1β) levels and cardiac adrenergic activity (I123 MIBG parameters) and exercise test variables in patients with heart failure.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional observational study included 25 heart failure patients (ejection fraction < 45%).
• Measurements included serum IL 1β levels, I123 MIBG parameters (heart/mediastinum ratio, washout rate [WO]), and treadmill exercise tests.
• Patients were stratified into normal and increased IL 1β level groups for analysis.

Main Results:

• Patients with increased IL 1β levels exhibited lower double-product reserve (DPR), reduced functional capacity (FC), and slower heart rate recovery (HRR 1º and HRR 2º).
• These patients also demonstrated a higher I123 MIBG washout rate (WO).
• While univariate analysis showed correlations between IL 1β and all tested variables, only WO remained significant in multivariate analysis (r² = 0.263, p = 0.009).

Conclusions:

• Adrenergic overactivity, indicated by I123 MIBG parameters, is the primary determinant of elevated IL 1β levels in heart failure.
• This highlights how excessive sympathetic activity modulates the systemic inflammatory response in heart failure.
• Standard exercise test variables were insufficient for identifying heart failure patients with elevated IL 1β levels.