Multicentre comparison between slow-release furosemide and bendroflumethiazide in congestive heart failure

The effects of slow-release furosemide and bendroflumethiazide in the ambulatory treatment of mild to moderate congestive heart failure were compared in a controlled multicentre study using a randomized, double-blind procedure. In the first trial, slow-release furosemide 60 mg daily was compared with 2.5 mg bendroflumethiazide; in the second trial the daily doses were 30 mg and 2.5 mg, respectively. There were 47 patients in Trial I and 39 in Trial II. The randomised allocation to the treatment regimen was made after a four-week period on bendroflumethiazide 2.5 mg daily, and treatment was continued for 12 weeks. Clinical and laboratory data were recorded before, during and at the end of the trial. Adverse effects were few and minor in both medication groups, and there were no significant intergroup differences. It was concluded slow-release furosemide 30 mg or 60 mg daily was as effective as bendroflumethiazide 2.5 mg daily for maintenance treatment in mild to moderate congestive heart failure.