Serum uric acid: A risk factor for right ventricular dysfunction and prognosis in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction

Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). 2023 Mar 6:14:1143458. doi: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1143458. eCollection 2023.

Abstract

Background: Hyperuricemia and right ventricular dysfunction (RVD) are both widespread in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) patients. RVD is associated with a poor prognosis in HFpEF. The correlation between serum uric acid (UA) levels and right ventricular function is unclear. The prognostic performance of UA in patients with HFpEF needs further validation.

Methods and results: A total of 210 patients with HFpEF were included in the study and divided into two groups according to UA level: the normal UA group (≤7 mg/dl) and the high UA group (>7 mg/dl). The variables examined included clinical characteristics, echocardiography, and serum biochemical parameters. Right ventricular function was assessed by tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) and tricuspid annular peak systolic velocity (TAPSV). Baseline characteristics were compared between the two groups, and the correlation between baseline UA and RVD was assessed using multifactorial binary logistic regression. Kaplan-Meier curves were used to describe all-cause mortality and heart failure readmission. Results showed that right ventricular function parameters were worse in the high UA group. After adjusting for UA, left ventricular posterior wall thickness (LVPWT), N-terminal B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), atrial fibrillation (AF), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), UA (odds ratio = 2.028; p < 0.001) was independently associated with RVD, and UA >7 mg/dl (HR = 2.98; p < 0.001) was associated with heart failure readmission in patients with HFpEF.

Conclusion: Elevated serum UA is closely associated with RVD and significantly associated with the heart failure readmission rate in patients with HFpEF.

Keywords: heart failure with preserved ejection fraction; hyperuricemia; prognosis; right ventricular dysfunction; serum uric acid.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Heart Failure* / complications
  • Humans
  • Prognosis
  • Risk Factors
  • Stroke Volume
  • Uric Acid
  • Ventricular Dysfunction, Right* / complications

Substances

  • Uric Acid

Grants and funding

This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (number 82270406, 81970203), the Chongqing Health Commission (number 2022MSXM028), and the China Cardiovascular Health Alliance-Access Research Found (number 2021-CCA-ACCESS-130).