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Figure 4 The levels of interleukin (IL)-6 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha present in the aortic root and coronary sinus on simultaneous sampling in patients with unstable angina undergoing cardiac catheterization are shown. A rise in the levels of these cytokines is observed across the coronary circulation. When these patients were divided according to their troponin T (TnT) status, this transcardiac cytokine gradient is found to occur primarily in those with evidence of myocardial necrosis. Solid bar = coronary sinus; open bar = aortic root. **p < 0.01.