Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The association between serum uric acid and ischemic heart disease remains controversial and it has not yet been established as cardiovascular risk factor. Our objective was to study the association of serum uric acid level with angiographic severity of coronary artery disease in men with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Methods : This cross-sectional study was conducted on 100 consecutive male patients presenting with ACS at Punjab Institute of Cardiology. Hyperuricemia was defined as serum uric acid level > 6.5 mg/dl. Severity of ischemic heart disease was assessed on the basis of Gensini score, number of diseased vessels, critical lesions and total occlusions on coronary angiogram. RESULTS: Mean age of normouricemic group (n=59) was 52.62 ± 9.46 years and mean age of hyperuricemic group (n=41) was 50.52 ± 9.40 years (p=0.273). Mean uric acid level; normouricemic group (4.75 ± 1.05), hyperuricemic group (7.61 ± 1.24), p<0.001. Mean Gensini score; normouricemic group (22.15 ± 21.52), hyperuricemic group (35.69 ± 26.80). Mann Whitney U test was applied to compare the Gensini score of two groups and it showed statistically significant difference (p value <0.006). Critical lesions, total occlusions and multi-vessel disease were more frequent in hyperuricemic group but statistically significant difference was found only for total occlusions (p=0.013) and critical lesions (p=0.046). Conclusions : Hyeruricemia is associated with higher Gensini score and more frequent total occlusions and critical lesions in men presenting with acute coronary syndrome.