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Hospitalization of patients with heart failure (HF) usually occurs because of congestion due to excess body fluid — a clinical state that is difficult to manage. Diuretics are the mainstay of treatment, but patient response is highly variable, and some experience very deleterious effects. Early studies of venovenous ultrafiltration (UF), an alternative fluid-removal method, have pointed to its safety and have shown preliminary hemodynamic, neurohormonal, and symptom benefits.
In a new, multicenter, randomized trial, supported by the maker of a portable UF system, researchers compared UF with standard diuretic therapy in 200 HF patients hospitalized with at least two clinical indicators of hypervolemia. The UF group received UF exclusively (n…