Abstract
Uric acid elevation is very common among patients with cardiovascular, renal and metabolic diseases. The role of uric acid in the pathogenesis of these diseases has been subject of intensive research and scientific discussions for decades.
Allopurinol, which has been used in clinical practice for almost 50 years, is the drug of first choice for long-term control of gout. Due to its efficiency, low price and well-known risk profile, it is a widely prescribed drug.
However allopurinol treatment in patients with asymptomatic hyperuricemia and cardiovascular diseases is still controversial. This review summarizes the increasing evidence of experimental and clinical studies suggesting that uric acid may play a causal role in cardiovascular disorders pathogenesis.
The current evidence suggests that allopurinol therapy could provide a clinical benefit in the prevention and treatment in many of these conditions.