Furosemide continuous infusion versus repeated injection in the management of acute decompensated heart failure in infants with left to right shunt: a randomized trial

Background Furosemide is the foremost drug used in the management of acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF). By tradition, it was administered as repeated intravenous boluses but fluctuations in intravascular volume and blood pressure were noticed in addition to the possibility of toxicity. Hence, continuous intravenous infusion was thought of as an alternative route of administration. In searching the literature, all previously published data concerning the pediatric age group was for infants and children following cardiac surgery. This study aims to compare the efficacy and safety of furosemide repeated injection versus continuous infusion during the management of ADHF in infants with left to right shunt. Methods A prospective parallel-design randomized study was conducted on 54 infants with ADHF, Ross class IV, secondary to left to right shunt. Twenty-seven infants received repeated injections of furosemide and 27 infants had furosemide continuous infusion. Patients were followed clinically for weight, urine output, hours required for resolution of failure symptoms, serum creatinine, sodium and potassium, and length of hospital stay. Results Non-significant differences were observed between both groups regarding preadmission oral furosemide dose and serum creatinine level. A lower daily dose of furosemide was observed in the continuous infusion arm (3.5 ± 0.6 vs 4.7 ± 1.0, p = 0.001) with less fluctuation in urine output and significantly fewer hours required for resolution of failure symptoms (42.1 ± 9 vs 56 ± 18.5, p = 0.001). At the end of furosemide infusion, serum creatinine was significantly higher in the continuous infusion group (0.39 ± 0.06 vs 0.34 ± 0.1, p = 0.030). However, before hospital discharge, non-significant differences were noticed (0.32 ± 0.05 vs 0.33 ± 0.06, p = 0.584). Non-significant differences between both groups regarding serum sodium and potassium levels at the end of furosemide injection were detected ( p = 0.289, 0.890, respectively). Conclusion Continuous infusion of furosemide can be safely administered to infants with ADHF, Ross class IV, secondary to left to right shunt with clinical gradual alleviation of fluid overload symptoms and less hemodynamic instability than repeated injections. Trial registration The study was approved by the Mansoura Faculty of Medicine institutional research board (MS/16.02.41) on August 3rd, 2016.