THE EFFECT OF THEOPHYLLINE ETHYLENE DIAMINE ON RENAL FUNCTION IN CONTROL SUBJECTS AND IN PATIENTS WITH CONGESTIVE HEART FAILURE 1

Abstract

Inulin, diodrast and Na clearances were detd. during 3 control periods and during 5 periods after the intraven. admn. of 0.48g. of theophylline ethylene diamine (TED). In control subjects, an elevation in glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and Na clearance (CNa) was sustained for 50-60 min. The rise in effective renal plasma flow (RPF) was usually transitory. In 4 of the patients with congestive heart failure, CNa was low but ''GFR was within normal limits. The other 2 cases with cardiac failure showed an elevated CNa in the presence of a reduced GFR and RPF. This evidence indicates that a low GFR is not the primary mechanism for salt retention in patients with cardiac failure. The response in GFR and effective RPF in heart failure patients ranged from a negligible elevation to an increase greater than 100%. Unlike the response in controls, the elevation in GFR lasted for 10-20 min. only; the increase in CNa was usually sustained for 50-60 min. The lack of correlation between the duration of the elevation GFR and CNa indicates that the sustained increase in CNa is the result of decreased tubular reabsorption of Na.