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Although a systematic review supported continuous infusion over bolus dosing of loop diuretics in patients with acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF; Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2005; 3:CD003178), a recent randomized trial showed no differences between the two treatment strategies (JW Cardiol Mar 2 2011). Researchers conducted a new meta-analysis of 10 randomized clinical trials (total patients, 564) to compare the effects of continuous infusion and intermittent bolus of furosemide.
Compared with bolus dosing, continuous infusion was associated with a modest but statistically significant increase in diuresis (weighted mean between-treatments difference in daily urinary output, 240 mL per 100 mg furosemide) and lower total body weight (weig…