Managing Congestive Heart Failure at Home by Transitioning From Intravenous Furosemide to a Subcutaneous Route

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Heart failure (HF) is a prevalent chronic condition with significant healthcare costs.
• Congestive heart failure (CHF) exacerbations frequently lead to hospitalizations for intravenous (IV) diuretic administration.
• Increasing strain on healthcare resources necessitates exploring alternative treatment settings.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the efficacy and considerations of using subcutaneous furosemide for CHF exacerbations.
• To evaluate the potential of outpatient management for acute heart failure decompensation.

Main Methods:

• Review of recent studies investigating subcutaneous furosemide treatment for CHF.
• Analysis of outcomes comparing subcutaneous and IV diuretic administration.
• Summary of practical considerations for implementing subcutaneous furosemide therapy.

Main Results:

• Subcutaneous furosemide has demonstrated comparable results to conventional IV diuresis.
• Outpatient administration of subcutaneous furosemide is a viable option for CHF exacerbations.
• This approach can potentially decrease the need for acute hospitalizations.

Conclusions:

• Subcutaneous furosemide represents a valuable therapeutic option for managing CHF exacerbations.
• Shifting treatment to outpatient settings with subcutaneous furosemide may alleviate hospital burdens and reduce costs.
• Further research and clinical guidelines are important for optimizing its use.