Abstract: Objective To investigate the efficacy and safety of adding allopurinol on top of standard therapy in non-hyperuricemic patients with chronic heart failure. Methods A total of 125 patients hospitalized from July 2008 to June 2009 were randomly divided into allopurinol group (allopurinol 300 mg/d on top of standard therapy, n=62) and control group (standard therapy, n=63) and followed 6 months. The changes in cardiac function, flow-mediated vasodilatation (FMD) of brachial artery, plasma inflammatory factors level, 1iver and kidney function were observed. Results In allopurinol treated patients, FMD of brachial artery significantly increased after 3 months. NYHA stage significantly improved, plasma BNP, TNF-α levels and LVEDD decreased and LVEF significantly increased 6 months after treatment compared to control group (all P<0.01). There were no significant differences in plasma uric acid levels between both groups. No event on liver and kidney dysfunction was noticed. Conclusion Allopurinol was effective and safe in non-hyperuricemic patients with chronic heart failure, it can significantly ameliorate left ventricular functions, reduce the levels of inflammatory factors, and may improve vascular endothelial function as well.

Key words: allopurinol, heart failure, uric acid