Without evidence of benefit, an intervention should not be presumed to be beneficial or safe.

- Rogue Medic

The Benefits of Lasix in CHF

Furosemide (Lasix) does not improve outcomes for the very sick CHF (Congestive Heart Failure or ADHF – Acute Decompensated Heart Failure) patients.

There are basically three mechanisms for CHF –

  • PRE-load
  • Contractility
  • AFTER-load

The problem is not the PEE-load, unless there is some anatomic connection between the kidneys and the lungs that I do not know about

But what about the circulatory system? The circulatory system connects the lungs and the kidneys and allows the kidneys to remove fluid from the circulation, which allows the fluid to wander out of the lungs.

No.

Stable patients seem to tolerate Lasix well, but these patients will tolerate almost anything we do to them.

Unstable patients are a little harder to keep alive.

What happens to the circulation to the kidneys under stress – the kind of stress that one might experience when not able to get enough oxygen?

The kidneys shut down.

Closed for business.

Take your Lasix somewhere else.

Comeback after the patient’s kidney circulation is open for Lasix again.

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