TNF and heart failure: Plasma levels of tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) have been found to increase in patients with left ventricular (LV) dysfunction as their functional heart failure classification deteriorates.2 Serum concentrations of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin-1-beta (IL-1β),IL-6 and high-sensitivity C reactive protein were reported to be significantly elevated in patients with non-ST elevation acute coronary syndrome in whom new coronary events developed.3