Comparison of the Effectiveness of Different Diuretic Therapies in the Management of Acute Heart Failure

Overview

Acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) is a clinical syndrome associated with high morbidity and mortality rates. Current guidelines emphasize the importance of oxygenation and diuresis in the management of ADHF. However, there is no clear recommendation regarding whether diuretic therapy should be administered as intermittent bolus dosing or continuous infusion. The aim of this study was to compare the early efficacy of bolus versus continuous infusion diuretic therapy in the emergency department management of ADHF. In this single-center, prospective, randomized, double-blind, parallel-group clinical trial, patients aged ≥18 years presenting with ADHF and without known chronic kidney disease were randomized in a 1:1 ratio to receive either intermittent bolus therapy or continuous infusion therapy. Allocation concealment was ensured using opaque sealed envelopes. To maintain blinding, simultaneous placebo-like administrations were performed in both groups. The primary endpoint was total urine output at 2 and 4 hours. Secondary endpoints included changes in the internal jugular vein collapsibility index (JVCI) at 2 and 4 hours. Tertiary end point was spot urinary sodium at 2 and 4 hours.

Acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) is a common cause of emergency department admission and is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Intravenous loop diuretics remain the cornerstone of treatment for patients presenting with volume overload. However, the optimal method of administration-intermittent bolus versus continuous infusion-remains controversial. Most randomized studies comparing these strategies have been conducted in hospitalized patients and have focused on outcomes measured over longer observation periods. Data evaluating the early response to diuretic therapy in the emergency department setting are limited. This prospective, randomized, double-blind clinical study aimed to compare the early effects of intravenous bolus versus continuous infusion furosemide therapy in patients presenting to the emergency department with acute decompensated heart failure. Eligible patients were randomly assigned to receive either intermittent intravenous bolus furosemide or continuous infusion furosemide. Blinding was achieved by administering placebo infusion or placebo bolus according to treatment allocation. The primary outcome of the study was cumulative urine output during the first four hours after treatment initiation. Secondary outcomes included changes in the internal jugular vein collapsibility index measured by bedside ultrasound. The tertiary outcome was the spot urinary sodium at 2nd and 4th hours of study The study also evaluated the potential role of internal jugular vein collapsibility index as a dynamic and non-invasive parameter for monitoring systemic congestion during early diuretic therapy in the emergency department.