Interleukin-1 (IL-1) Blockade in Acute Myocardial Infarction (VCU-ART3)

INCLUSION CRITERIA: In order to be eligible for this study, patients must meet ALL the 3 Inclusion criteria and NONE of the Exclusion criteria. 1. Acute STEMI defined as chest pain (or equivalent) with an onset within 12 hours and ECG evidence of ST segment elevation (\>1 mm) in 2 or more anatomically contiguous leads that is new or presumably new 2. Planned or completed coronary angiogram for potential intervention 3. Age\>21 EXCLUSION CRITERIA: * Inability to give informed consent * Pregnancy * Preexisting congestive heart failure (American Heart Association/American College of Cardiology class C-D, New York Heart Association III-IV) * Preexisting severe left ventricular dysfunction (EF\<20%) * Preexisting severe valvular heart disease * Active infections (acute or chronic) - excluding Hepatitis C Virus (HCV)+ with undetectable RNA * Recent (\<14 days) or active use of anti-inflammatory drugs (not including non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs \[NSAIDs\] or corticosteroids used for IV dye allergy only) * Chronic inflammatory disease (including but not limited to rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus) * Active malignancy - excluding carcinoma in situ \[any organ\] and non-melanoma skin cancer * Anticipated need for cardiac surgery * Neutropenia (absolute neutrophil count\<1,800/mm3)