Loop diuretics and ultrafiltration in heart failure.

Abstract

INTRODUCTION:

Despite widespread use of loop diuretics in congestive heart failure (HF) to achieve decongestion and relief of symptoms, as recommended by the current guidelines, there is uncertainty as to their long-term therapeutic efficacy and safety. Their efficacy and safety compared to venous ultrafiltration are currently under investigation in acute decompensated HF patients.

AREAS COVERED:

In this article, the authors review current available data related to efficacy and safety of loop diuretics and ultrafiltration in HF.

EXPERT OPINION:

The literature review highlights an unmet clinical need for evidence-based algorithms, potentially using not only the classical clinical signs and symptoms of congestion as well as the estimated glomerular filtration rate and serum electrolytes, but also biomarkers of congestion/decongestion, neurohumoural activation or urinary kidney injury molecules, in order to optimize both loop diuretics and renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system blocker use in HF patients.

• Authors: Patrick Rossignol, Faiez Zannad
• Journal: Expert opinion on pharmacotherapy (Expert Opin Pharmacother) Vol. 14 Issue 12 Pg. 1641-8 (Aug 2013) ISSN: 1744-7666 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 23795809 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Review)

Chemical References

• Sodium Potassium Chloride Symporter Inhibitors

Topics

• Heart Failure (physiopathology, therapy)
• Humans
• Renin-Angiotensin System
• Sodium Potassium Chloride Symporter Inhibitors (administration & dosage)
• Ultrafiltration