Abstract

BRENES S, Dr. Jorge A. Ultrafiltración como alternativa terapéutica en la insuficiencia cardiaca congestiva. Rev. costarric. cardiol [online]. 2007, vol.9, n.1, pp.27-32. ISSN 1409-4142.

Congestive Heart Failure is a complex syndrome that represents a public health problem. In cases with excessive volume fluid overload,attempts to maintain a sustained euvolemic state are sometimes insufficient and its traditional management with diuretics, both acutely and chronically, has failed to demonstrate increased survival on the long term, and paradoxically, it aggravates the vicious neurohormonal cycle, which is the main pathophysiological feature of this entity. In this context, ultrafiltration comes as a therapeutic alternative, capable of removing significant amounts of fluid in these patients, improving their functional capacity and weight profile in a sustained way, attenuating the stimulation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone axis and sympathetic nervous system. Its tolerance and security profile are adecuate. Future studies will address the cost/benefit relationship and its possible application on a larger scale.

Keywords : heart failure; renin-angiotensin-aldosterone axis; sympathetic nervous system; diuretics; ultrafiltration.

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