How should diuretic-refractory, volume-overloaded heart failure patients be managed?
Sackner-Bernstein, J.D.; Obeleniene, R.
Journal of Invasive Cardiology 15(10): 585-590
2003
ISSN/ISBN: 1042-3931 PMID: 14519893 Document Number: 555024
Hospitalization is often required for patients with decompensated heart failure, usually with volume overload. Intravenous diuretics are recommended to optimize volume status; however, the management of patients refractory to diuretic therapy is not addressed in American Heart Association/American College of Cardiology, European Society of Cardiology or Heart Failure Society of America guidelines. This review focuses the invasive/interventional cardiologist on the rationale for greater involvement in the care of patients admitted to the hospital with decompensated volume overload, in particular when such patients are diuretic refractory.