The effects of gout on cardiovascular events: the heart of the matter

Gout seems to increase the risk of two particular heart problems, says new research published in Rhematology, which outlines that people with gout have worse left ventricular diastolic dysfunction and increased left atrial volume compared to those without the disease.

 “Left atrial dysfunction and enlargement can predict the occurrence of cardiovascular events, especially atrial fibrillation and diastolic heart failure,” says Dr Kuo-Li Pan. “In our study (of 173 people), we found the more severity of gout, the larger left atrial volume.”

 Assuming that an enlarged left atrial volume in people with gouty arthritis does predict cardiovascular events (and that’s what the team is working on next) the research means that by looking at the size of the left atrial in people with gout, doctors may be able to see who is at most risk of adverse cardiovascular events.

 To read the original research visit http://rheumatology.oxfordjournals.org/content/early/2014/01/09/rheumatology.ket444.