IL1B and myocardial infarction: However, it is important that key cytokines and chemokines, such as IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, and MMPs, that are elevated in the heart tissue following MI cause electrophysiological changes in the peri-infarction zone, suggesting that inflammation may be a critical mediator of electrophysiological remodeling and arrhythmia52.