The effect of continuous infusion loop diuretics in patients with acute decompensated heart failure with hypoalbuminemia.

PURPOSE: Hypoalbuminemia is believed to decrease diuretic effectiveness and contribute to diuretic resistance that is observed in patients with nephrotic syndrome. Hypoalbuminemia is also seen in patients with acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF). However, the role of hypoalbuminemia on the effectiveness of continuous infusion diuretics in patients with ADHF is not known.

METHODS: To evaluate hypoalbuminemia (albumin ≤ 3 g/dL) and diuretic effectiveness, we performed a retrospective study in 162 patients admitted to a tertiary care center for treatment of ADHF over a 3-year period. All patients received continuous infusion diuretic for at least a 2-day time period.

RESULTS: A total of 33 patients were determined to have hypoalbuminemia. Average net urine output over a 2-day study period was similar between patients with and without hypoalbuminemia (-1462 ± 1734 vs -1233 ± 1560 mL, P = .46, respectively). In addition, diuretic doses (furosemide equivalent/24 hours) were similar between the 2 groups (788 ± 671 vs 778 ± 713 mg, P = .91, respectively) as was baseline serum creatinine (1.6 ± 0.6 vs 1.6 ± 0.6 mg/dL, P = .5, respectively).

CONCLUSION: Overall, hypoalbuminemia did not decrease the diuretic effectiveness when measured by the net urine output in patients receiving continuous infusion diuretics for the treatment of ADHF.