Ultrafiltration in Diuretic Resistant Congestive Heart Failure

Abstract

Diuretic therapy has been the cornerstone of the medical treatment in patients with heart failure for the last fifty years. However, despite the fact that the majority of them are on diuretics, fluid balance remains a challenge for their physicians.

Poor response, diuretic resistance, worsening of kidney function, electrolyte disturbances, and diuretic therapy associated morbidity and mortality have stimulated interest to develop effective and safe treatment strategies that improve decongestion and preserve kidney function. Ultrafiltration has been used to remove fluid from diuretic-refractory hypervolemic patients. Recently clinical studies have suggested that ultrafiltration may be highly effective for decongesting patients with either chronic or acutely decompensated heart failure... (excerpt)