Preventing heart failure after a heart attack using an IL-1 blocker (anakinra)
Prevention of heart failure with IL-1 blockade: a mechanistic study
This research tests whether giving an IL-1 blocking medicine (anakinra) to people after a severe heart attack can help prevent heart failure.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Virginia Commonwealth University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Richmond, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11332263 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you join, you'll be someone who recently had an ST‑elevation heart attack (STEMI) and will receive a course of anakinra or usual care while doctors follow your recovery. The team will use heart imaging, cardiopulmonary exercise tests, and blood tests to measure heart function, fitness, and inflammation over time. Study staff will specifically track markers like C‑reactive protein and measure cardiac output and remodeling to see how blocking IL‑1 changes healing. The goal is to understand whether preserving cardiorespiratory fitness through IL‑1 blockade lowers the chance of developing heart failure after a heart attack.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are people who have recently experienced a STEMI (ST‑elevation myocardial infarction) and are medically stable to receive an IL‑1 blocker.
Not a fit: People without a recent heart attack, those with active serious infections or other contraindications to IL‑1 blockade, or people with advanced chronic heart failure are unlikely to benefit from this intervention.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the treatment could reduce the risk of developing heart failure after a heart attack and help preserve heart function and exercise capacity.
How similar studies have performed: Earlier clinical work with anakinra showed reduced inflammation and fewer patients developing heart failure, but this trial aims to confirm those findings and explain the biological mechanisms.
Where this research is happening
Richmond, United States
- Virginia Commonwealth University — Richmond, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Van Tassell, Benjamin W — Virginia Commonwealth University
- Study coordinator: Van Tassell, Benjamin W
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.