Diuretic resistance in patients with chronic heart failure: mechanisms, prevention, and treatment

Abstract

The authors analyzed the problem of diuretic resistance (DR) in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF). Most of the symptoms and signs of CHF are associated with hypervolemia and vascular congestion in the systemic and pulmonary circulation. The severity of the latter is the main factor which negatively affects the overall assessment of life satisfaction in patients with CHF. Since the patient, even at the incurable stage of CHF, primarily expects a rapid decrease in the severity of manifestations of decompensation from the prescribed therapy, achieving euvolemia is the essence of its short-term objective. Without diuretics, these immediate effects, according to which most CHF patients judge the qualifications of the doctor, are almost impossible to achieve. Unfortunately, apparently, not a single clinician was able to avoid disappointment in the effectiveness of CHF therapy associated with DR in their practice. As a rule, DR reflects the progressive course of CHF and is often associated with a poor prognosis. The review consistently covers the issues of terminology, diagnosis, pathogenesis, and prevention of DR, which aggravates CHF, and discusses measures aimed at restoring sensitivity to diuretics.