title: Continuous furosemide infusion in the management of ascites.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The current therapy for patients hospitalized with ascites requires titration of oral diuretics and often needs several days. A faster method for predicting the response to a given dose of diuretic may allow this process to be completed more rapidly.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The objective of this study was to describe the short-term safety and efficacy of a diuretic infusion to predict net sodium excretion in patients with cirrhosis, ascites, and edema using a fractional excretion of sodium (FENa) of 1% or greater as the target.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted a retrospective case series of patients admitted for management of ascites who received intravenous furosemide by continuous infusion in ascites management. Patients were stratified depending on whether they had edema or received an intravenous bolus of furosemide or a large-volume paracentesis. The primary outcome was the proportion of patients achieving a FENa of 1% or greater during the infusion. Secondary outcomes included development of electrolyte abnormalities or acute kidney injury during or immediately following the infusion and natriuresis on titrated oral furosemide.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Forty-seven patients meeting criteria were identified from 721 patients seen in consultation. Ten of the patients had edema and received neither bolus intravenous diuretic therapy nor therapeutic paracentesis; all 10 achieved a FENa of 1% or greater. One patient had transient hypokalemia. Of 37 patients who either had no edema or received additional treatment options, all but 6 patients achieved a FENa of 1% or greater. Transient complications in 31 patients with natriuresis included hyponatremia (n = 1), hypokalemia (n = 5), and acute kidney injury (n = 3). Twenty-four-hour urine sodium averaged more than 4 g/d on the titrated oral furosemide regimen in 19 patients completing the collection.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Use of a short continuous furosemide infusion can achieve a FENa of 1% or greater in patients with cirrhotic ascites and may be safe and efficacious for diuresis, meriting further study.
authors.affiliation: Parkland Memorial Hospital, Parkland Health and Hospital System, Department of Internal Medicine, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA.
authors.forename: Nicholas A
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Rogers
authors.forename: Samir
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gupta
authors.forename: Jennifer A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Cuthbert
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001201:Ascites / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology; D019468:Disease Management; D004232:Diuretics / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D057286:Electronic Health Records; D005260:Female; D005665:Furosemide / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D004232:Diuretics; D005665:Furosemide