Inhibition of interleukin-1 (IL-1) activity in patients with RA without CAD ameliorates vascular and LV function. Moreover, data from species shows beneficial effect of this treatment on LV function after experimental myocardial infarction. The purpose of this study is to investigate whether anakinra, an IL-1 receptor antagonist, improves vascular and left ventricular (LV) function in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) and coexistent rheumatoid arthritis (RA).