Abstract

SANCHEZ, Emilio et al. Treatment of volume overload in refractory heart failure. Insuf. card. [online]. 2011, vol.6, n.1, pp.19-26. ISSN 1852-3862.

Heart failure is an increasing health problem due to the aging population and the improvement in the prognosis of patients with established heart disease. In recent years new treatments have emerged that seek to improve the clinical situation, the quality of life and survival of patients who develop refractoriness to diuretics. The use of these new drugs could have a positive impact on the acute but it would not provide additional benefits for patients with chronic congestive heart failure. In these cases, extracorporeal ultrafiltration techniques and especially peritoneal dialysis seem to show improvement in functional class, reduction in hospitalization rates, improved quality of life and reduction in mortality, besides being cost-efficient.

Keywords : Heart failure; Peritoneal dialysis; Diuretics; Ultrafiltration; Quality of life; Cost-utility.

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