Dose of diuretic therapy in the decompensated congestive heart failure

BACKGROUND: Diuretic therapy is an essential element in the treatment of decompensated congestive heart failure. However, since these drugs are generally prescribed in empirical way, worsening renal function is frequent. Weight loss is an objective and efficient way to follow-up the improvement of congestion. OBJECTIVES: In order to evaluate the effects of a tailored diuretic therapy based on weight-change on the evolution of renal function and on the compensation of patients with decompensated congestive heart failure. METHODS: Patients with decompensated congestive heart failure, congestion signs, fraction of ejection of the left ventricle < 45% and randomly allocated to a diuretic therapy based on weight-change (G) or control group (C) were selected for a randomized clinical study. The maximum weight expected in the follow-up days was: day (d) 1- 2.1%; day 2 – 4.2%; day 3 – 6.1%; day 4 - 7.9%; day 5 -9.5%; day 6 -11%; day 7 -12.3%; day 8 -13.3%; day 9 -14%; day 10 -14.2%. In the diuretic therapy based on weight-change the initial dose of intravenous furosemide was 120 mg/day and the hydrochlorothiazide dose was 50 mg/day. The daily adjustment of the furosemide dose was based on the ratio between the observed/expected weight losses (O/E) until improvement of congestion or for a maximum period of 10 days. If O/E ratio was ≥ 2.0, furosemide was reduced by 33.3%. If O/E ratio was ≤ 0.5, furosemide was increased by 33.3%, and if the O/E ratio obtained was between 0.5 and 1.99, furosemide dose was maintained. The outcomes considered were worsening renal function (serum creatinine increase ≥ 0.3 mg/dl) and the period of improvement of congestion. The analysis of the association of the diuretic treatment and the incidence of worsening renal function was performed by logistic regression. A P value < 0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: 72 patients, 34 in group G and 38 in group C participated in the study. Their mean age was 58.1 years (11.77), the average fraction of ejection of the left ventricle was 23.1(6.59) and the initial serum creatinine level was 1.33 mg/dl(0.38). Worsening renal function occurred in 26.5% (G) and 26.3% (C) P=0.988. In group G weight loss on day 5 was -8.15%±4.9 vs – 4.35% ±4.14 (C) P < 0.001, the percentage of compensation was higher in group G 91.2% vs 60.5% (group C) P < 0.001 and the observation period was 5.02 days (2.5) in group G vs 8.66 days (2.8) group C P < 0.001. Logistic regression revealed the following variables associated to mortality: etiology of Chagas disease, BNP level, absence of ECA inhibitor, dosage of initial serum sodium and worsening renal function. CONCLUSIONS: The group that received hydrochlorothiazide plus furosemide based on weight-change was associated to more intense weight loss and faster resolution of congestion without worsening renal function. Worsening renal function was a predictor of poor outcome.