Effect of allopurinol on arterial stiffness indices in patients with chronic heart failure

INTERVENTION: Every patient will have a total of 4 visits. Preliminary visit: For explaining the nature of the trial, get the consent forms signed and for demonstration of SphygmoCardiography technique and to get the patient acclimatised to it via taking some arterial stiffness readings that will not be included in the study statistics. Blood samples will be taken for baseline screening; haematological and biochemical screening. Baseline echocardiogram and ECG will also be done. Visit 0: For arterial stiffness parameters measurements and baseline stress test, after which the patient will be randomised by a pharmacist to any of the treatment arms. Safety visit: For checking how the patient is doing with the study medication (1 month after). Blood samples will be taken for complete blood count, renal and liver function tests. Visit 1 (3 months post‐randomisation): For arterial stiffness parameters measurements and a repeat stress test. Medications: Allopurinol: Apo‐Allopurinol 300 mg tablet once daily (APOTEX Pharmaceutical, Canada). Duration: 90 days. Placebo: manufactured locally at Al Jazeera Pharmaceutical, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, 1 tablet once daily. Duration: 90 days. CONDITION: Chronic heart failure ; Circulatory System ; Other rheumatic heart diseases PRIMARY OUTCOME: Arterial stiffness indices:; 1. Pulse wave velocity (PWV); 2. Augmentation index; Assessed at visit 0 (baseline) and after 90 days post‐randomisation (visit 1) SECONDARY OUTCOME: Exercise capacity, assessed at visit 0 (baseline) and after 90 days post‐randomisation (visit 1) INCLUSION CRITERIA: 1. Aged greater than 18 years, either sex 2. Chronic heart failure patients with functional class II ‐ III (according to New York Heart Association [NYHA]) 3. Clinical stabilisation of cardiac condition and medications for at least 3 months prior to involvement