Hyperuricemia is a very common finding in patients with heart failure. It is usually related to diuretic use and deteriorated renal function. The recently evidence showed that uric acid (UA) lowering therapy may improve clinical status in symptomatic heart failure patients with hyperuricemia. In their clinical practice, the investigators found that glucocorticoids could dramatically lower UA while improving renal function. Thus the investigators design this randomized head to head study to test our hypothesis that prednisone have the same efficacy to allopurinol on lowering UA and could improve renal function at the same time.

Inclusion Criteria:

• 18-70 years old
• NYHA Class III-IV
• EF =< 40%
• Uric acid => 9.5 mg/dL

Exclusion Criteria:

• Acute gouty arthritis
• Any condition (other than CHF) that could limit the use of prednisone or allopurinol
• Any concurrent disease likely to limit life expectancy.
• Active myocarditis, or an obstructive or restrictive cardiomyopathy
• Heart Attack, Stroke, Unstable Angina or Cardiac surgery within previous 3 months