Objectives: To investigate the relationship between hyperuricemia and left atrial thrombus (LAT)/spontaneous echo contrast (SEC) and to determine the predictive value of hyperuricemia in non-valvular (NV) atrial fibrillation (AF) patients.
Methods: The study retrospectively reviewed 1198 consecutive patients (male 801, female 397, and mean age of 56.84 ± 12.22) who were diagnosed with AF and accepted transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) prior to catheter ablation, appendage occlusion and electrical cardioversion using a single-center database. The clinical baseline characteristics were collected from medical record review and analyzed. Patients were categorized into an LAT/SEC group and a normal group.
Results: According to the TEE examination, there were 97 (8.1%) patients with abnormality; of these, 49 were with LAT and 48 with SEC. The mean serum uric acid (SUA) level and hyperuricemia proportion were markedly higher in patients with LAT/SEC. The significant predictive effect was observed in the SUA level (OR = 1.006) and hyperuricemia (OR = 2.04). After adjustment for persistent/permanent-AF, age, gender, LA dimension > 40 mm, previous stroke, hypertension and diabetes, the SUA level (OR = 1.004) and hyperuricemia (OR = 1.69) were independent predictors for LAT/SEC. The SUA level (OR = 1.004) and hyperuricemia (OR = 1.69) were independent predictors for LAT/SEC, Further subgroup analysis in different CHA2DS2-VASc categories, it might be helpful to refine the LAT/SEC risk via combination area CHA2DS2-VASc score and hyperuricemia, especially in those with CHA2DS2-VASc score < 2.
Conclusions: The SUA level and hyperuricemia proportion are closely associated with LA stasis. Hyperuricemia might independently predict and refine LA stasis risk among NVAF patients, especially in those with CHA2DS2-VASc score < 2.
Keywords: Atrial fibrillation; Hyperuricemia; Left atrial thrombus; Spontaneous echo contrast; Thromboembolic event.
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