European journal of heart failure
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Eur. J. Heart Fail. · Sep 2000
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical TrialEffects of high-dose furosemide and small-volume hypertonic saline solution infusion in comparison with a high dose of furosemide as a bolus, in refractory congestive heart failure.
Diuretics, have been accepted as first-line treatment in refractory heart failure, but a lack of response is a frequent event. A randomised single blind study was performed to evaluate the effects of the combination of high-dose furosemide and small-volume hypertonic saline solution (HSS) infusion in the treatment of refractory NYHA class IV congestive heart failure (CHF). ⋯ Our data suggest that the combination of furosemide with HSS is feasible and it appears that this combination produces an improvement of hemodynamic and clinical parameters, reduces the hospitalization time and maintains the obtained results over time in comparison with those receiving high-dose furosemide as bolus.
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Eur. J. Heart Fail. · Mar 2000
ReviewIntravenous inotropic agents in the intensive therapy unit: do they really make a difference?
Part of the management of refractory heart failure is treatment aimed at preventing organ damage due to inadequate oxygen delivery, improving hemodynamics, and maximizing cardiac output while maintaining only mildly elevated ventricular filling pressures The aim of this paper is to review the most updated indications on intravenous inotropic agents, and to compare their cardiac and peripheral effects. Finally, clinical implications of their use (alone or in combination) are reviewed.
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Eur. J. Heart Fail. · Mar 1999
Plasma brain natriuretic peptide--an independent predictor of cardiovascular mortality in acute heart failure.
To examine the prognostic importance of both plasma atrial natriuretic and B-(brain natriuretic peptide) following an episode of acute heart failure. ⋯ A plasma BNP level has independent and at least short-term prognostic significance in patients admitted with acute heart failure. This non-invasive and readily available blood test should be considered for risk stratification in patients with acute heart failure.