title: Intravenous Furosemide for Acute Decompensated Congestive Heart Failure: What Is the Evidence?
abstract: Use of intravenous furosemide rather than oral administration in acute decompensated congestive cardiac failure is universally recommended in international guidelines. We argue that this recommendation is not supported by the existing evidence, and suggest that trials should be performed to determine whether larger doses of oral furosemide should be prescribed prior to an IV switch. This could reduce length of hospital admissions and allow for more patients to be managed in the primary care setting.
authors: Division of Brain Sciences, Imperial College, Hammersmith Hospital, London, UK.
authors: D R J
authors: DR
authors: Owen
authors: Centre for Clinical Pharmacology, University College London, London, UK.
authors: R
authors: R
authors: MacAllister
authors: Centre for Clinical Pharmacology, University College London, London, UK.
authors: R
authors: R
authors: Sofat
mesh_terms: D061605:Administration, Intravenous; D000284:Administration, Oral; D004232:Diuretics / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D005665:Furosemide / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D018579:Patient Selection; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D012307:Risk Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014882:Water-Electrolyte Balance / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D004232:Diuretics; D005665:Furosemide