Relation between dose of loop diuretics and outcomes in a heart failure population: Results of the ESCAPE Trial

Abstract

Background: We examined the relation of maximal in‐hospital diuretic dose to weight loss, changes in renal function, and mortality in hospitalised heart failure (HF) patients. Methods: In ESCAPE, 395 patients received diuretics in‐hospital. Weight was measured at baseline, discharge, and every other day before discharge. Weight loss was defined as the difference between baseline and last in‐hospital weight. Mortality was assessed using a log‐logistic model with non‐zero background. Results: Median weight loss: 2.8kg (0.7, 6.1); mean: 3.7kg (22% of values 300mg/day. Dose remained a significant predictor of mortality after adjusting for baseline variables that significantly predicted mortality. Correlation between maximal dose and creatinine level change was not significant (r=0.043; p=0.412) Conclusions: High diuretic doses during HF hospitalisation are associated with increased mortality and poor 6‐month outcome.