ABSTRACT

In this study, we aimed to investigate the value of serum uric acid levels in predicting stroke and transient ischemic attacks among patients with paroxysmal AF.

We enrolled patients with paroxysmal AF. Clinical and demographic features of the patients were recorded, and CHA2DS2VASC scores were calculated. Uric acid levels were also recorded from biochemistry results. Patient groups with and without history of stroke and transient ischemic attack were compared for their serum uric acid levels.

A total of 180 patientswere enrolled in this study, of whom62 had a history of ischemic stroke/transient ischemic attack (symptomatic group). CHA2DS2VASC score in the symptomatic group was 4.7 ± 1.2 while it was 2.6 ± 1.4 in the asymptomatic group (b0.001). It was also shown that uric acid levels were higher in the symptomatic group when compared to the asymptomatic group (7.64 ± 1.12 mg/dl vs 5.06 ± 1.16 mg/dl, p b 0.001, respectively). Multivariate analysis revealed that a serum uric acid level higher than 6.35 mg/dl was independently associated with having a history of stroke/transient ischemic attack.

Assessment of uric acid levels in addition to CHA2DS2VASC score might be useful in patients with paroxysmal AF to select patients with higher risk of stroke/transient ischemic attack.

Keywords: Stroke Atrial fibrillation Serum uric acid