Limitations
The sample size was estimated with regard to the endpoint MSI measured by CMR. As the circulating cytokine concentrations are very low, many of the differences are numerically small and our sample has reduced power to detect subtle effects on clinical endpoints. Due to limitations of the analysis kits, many results had to be recalculated manually, and thus, it may be difficult to reproduce absolute concentrations. Moreover, correlations do not necessarily imply causal relationship, particularly when multiple correlation analyses are performed. We have, however, corrected for multiple comparisons.