[Usefulness of short-term peripheral ambulatory ultrafiltration in heart failure refractory to diuretics. Initial experience]. / Utilidad de la ultrafiltración ambulatoria de corta duración por vía periférica en insuficiencia cardíaca refractaria a diuréticos. Experiencia inicial.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: In heart failure congestion is the most common symptom and diuretic resistance is frequent. This study aims to analyse whether short-term peripheral outpatient ultrafiltration (UF) is useful and safe in these patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The first 5 patients ultrafiltrated for diuretic resistance in a fast-track unit of a referral hospital for 12hours were analysed. RESULTS: These patients were on treatment with at least 3 oral diuretics; UF made it possible to reduce and/or withdraw some of them. The volume extracted during the procedure was 1520±271ml. There were significant changes in diuresis (PreUF 1360±164, PostUF 1670±254ml; P=.035), weight (PreUF 69.6±14, PostUF 66.2±15kg; P=.0001) and creatinine (PreUF 2.1±0.3, PostUF 1.8±0.4mg; P= 0.023). CONCLUSIONS: In outpatients with heart failure and diuretic resistance, short-course peripheral UF was effective and safe.