Uric acid levels in the blood of patients with postinfarction cardiac failure

Aim. To evaluate uric acid (UA) levels in patients with postinfarction chronic cardiac failure (CCF) and to investigate correlation between accumulation of uric acid, CCF severity and some other parameters. Material and methods. UA levels were determined with enzyme immunoassay and acid-base status of capillary and venous blood was studied in 120 men 35-78 years of age (mean age 46.3 +/- 1.8 years) with CCF of NYHA functional class (FC) I-IV. CCF was caused by Q-wave myocardial infarction in all the patients. Results. It was found that a close direct relationship exists between FC of CCF and UA content (r = 0.735, p < 0.001), FC of CCF and creatinine levels (r = 0.648, p < 0.001). Analysis of acid-base condition shows the existence of compensated gas acidosis in CCF patients. Acid-base changes were more prominent in FC III and IV. FC and gas acidosis directly correlated. Conclusion. In CCF there is a pathogenetic relation between high uric acid and hypoxia. However, further studies are necessary of the causes of UC rise in CCF and its influence on the severity of circulatory insufficiency.