Association of serum uric acid and cardioembolic stroke in patients with acute ischemic stroke

Background Although high uric acid levels have been reported to be a risk factor for cardiovascular disease and stroke, the relationship between serum uric acid (SUA) levels and cardioembolic stroke (CES) has not been fully elucidated. In this study, we sought to investigate the relationship between the risk of CES and SUA levels. We hypothesized that SUA concentrations are associated with CES. Methods We retrospectively analyzed 2350 patients with acute ischemic stroke who were admitted to the Seoul National University Hospital between 2002 and 2010. The participants were stratified into five groups according to SUA levels obtained within 24 h after stroke onset. The association between SUA levels and CES was evaluated using multivariable logistic regression models. Results Of the 2350 patients, 412 (27.7%) were classified with CES, and 1077 (72.3%) were classified with non-CES, including LAA (large artery atherosclerosis) and SVO (small vessel occlusion). Among the acute stroke patients, SUA levels were higher in those with atrial fibrillation and other cardiovascular risk factors. Compared with the non-CES patients, the CES patients were more likely to fall in the highest quintile of SUA level. Multivariate analysis revealed that the patients with SUA concentrations in the highest quintile were associated with CES (OR = 2.59, 95% CI: 1.35–4.97), test for trend P < 0.001. Similar results were obtained for gender-based subgroups by (in men, OR = 2.34, 95% CI: 1.06–5.15 and in women OR = 3.41, 95% CI: 1.15–10.07), test for trend P < 0.01 and P < 0.001, respectively. Conclusion SUA level is associated with the risk of CES in acute ischemic stroke patients of both sexes. Further prospective clinical trials of lowering SUA to prevent CES may be worth considering.