While baseline levels of all cytokines were increased among patients who have developed a sternal infection, at discharge only the level of interleukin 6 remained significantly higher compared to no infection groups (92.6 ± 23.6 pg/ml vs. 71.6 ± 12.9 and 79.6 ± 17.7 pg/ml, p < 0.05). Here, IL6 is linked to infection.