Interleukin-1 (IL-1) Blockade in Acute Myocardial Infarction (VCU-ART3)

INCLUSION CRITERIA: In order to be eligible for this study, patients must meet ALL the 3 Inclusion criteria andNONE of the Exclusion criteria.

1. Acute STEMI defined as chest pain (or equivalent) with an onset within 12 hours andECG evidence of ST segment elevation (>1 mm) in 2 or more anatomically contiguousleads that is new or presumably new

2. Planned or completed coronary angiogram for potential intervention

3. Age>21

EXCLUSION CRITERIA:

• Inability to give informed consent

• Pregnancy

• Preexisting congestive heart failure (American Heart Association/American College ofCardiology class C-D, New York Heart Association III-IV)

• Preexisting severe left ventricular dysfunction (EF<20%)

• Preexisting severe valvular heart disease

• Active infections (acute or chronic) - excluding Hepatitis C Virus (HCV)+ withundetectable RNA

• Recent (<14 days) or active use of anti-inflammatory drugs (not includingnon-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs [NSAIDs] or corticosteroids used for IV dyeallergy only)

• Chronic inflammatory disease (including but not limited to rheumatoid arthritis,systemic lupus erythematosus)

• Active malignancy - excluding carcinoma in situ [any organ] and non-melanoma skincancer

• Anticipated need for cardiac surgery

• Neutropenia (absolute neutrophil count<1,800/mm3)