Review of Diuretic and Ultrafiltration Strategies in Patients With Acute Decompensated Heart Failure

Practice Pearl

Acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) leads to nearly I million hospital admissions annually. Recent research indicates that fluid diuresis by intravenous loop diuretics, either high dose or low dose and/or by either bolus or continuous infusion, are similarly effective and equally safe for therapeutic use in patients with ADHF. In addition, ultrafiltration is an effective and safe alternative therapy to loop diuretics for patients with ADHF as part of a strategy to reduce fluid overload.