Increased serum uric acid level predicts poor prognosis in mildly severe chronic heart failure with reduced ejection fraction. An analysis from the MECKI score research group

Background: Hyperuricemia prognostic impact on clinical outcomes in chronic heart failure (HF) patients has been investigated with inconclusive results. Objectives: Aim of the study was to evaluate the prognostic impact of serum uric acid (SUA) on long-term clinical outcomes in HF. Methods: An analysis of MECKI (Metabolic Exercise Cardiac Kidney Index) database, with median follow-up of 3.4 years. Results: Relation between SUA and all-cause/ cardiovascular (CV) deaths have been analysed in 4,577 patients (3,688 males, age 62.7 ± 12.9 years), with reduced ejection fraction HF (35 ± 11%), peakVO2 1151 ± 440 ml/min; NYHA class I-II (72.6%), III-IV (27.4%). SUA was associated with increased total and CV mortality (HR 1.120 and HR 1.128, respectively p < 0.0001), also after adjustment for peakVO2, VE/VCO2 slope, diuretic use and MECKI score. SUA was significantly associated with CV mortality only in NYHA class I-II (HR 1.17, p < 0.0001) while there was no association in class III-IV (HR 1.03, p = NS). No prognostic added values of SUA with respect to the MECKI score was observed at the ROC analysis. Conclusions: SUA is confirmed to be associated with increased mortality, but in less severe HF only. However SUA did not show additional prognostic power to the MECKI score