Effects of Standard Heart Failure Therapy and Concomitant Treatment With Intravenous Furosemide or Inotropes (Dobutamine, Dopamine, and/or Milrinone) on Renal Function and Mortality in Patients Treated With Nesiritide

The safety and efficacy of the concomitant use of intravenous diuretics and positive inotropes with nesiritide have not been well studied. There is also a paucity of data examining whether the type of medical therapy before treatment with nesiritide has an effect on outcomes. Data from 167 patients with heart failure and reduced left ventricular ejection fractions (34 ± 17%) treated with nesiritide were analyzed retrospectively. Baseline oral medications were continued, diuretic regimens were modified, and nitrates were discontinued. Forty-three patients (26%) received intravenous furosemide with nesiritide. The glomerular filtration rate before and after nesiritide infusion was not different in patients treated with versus without furosemide (0.7 ± 8.8 vs 0.7 ± 11.0 ml/min/1.73 m2, p = 0.71). Change in urine output from before to during nesiritide infusion was greater with concomitant furosemide (41 ± 57 vs 10 ± 58 m/hour, p = 0.006). There was no significant difference in survival with furosemide (90% vs 89% at 30 days, 62% vs 57% at 12 months, p = 0.63). Thirty-nine patients (23%) received inotrope support with nesiritide. The glomerular filtration rate tended to improve when inotropes were used with nesiritide (3.3 ± 13.1 vs −0.1 ± 9.4, ml/min/1.73 m2, p = 0.17). No significant changes in serum creatinine or urine output were observed with inotrope use. Survival was not worsened in those receiving inotropes (p = 0.51). Also, there were no significant differences in serum creatinine, glomerular filtration rate, or urine output in patients who continued to receive angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers, β blockers, or digoxin therapy during nesiritide infusion. In conclusion, there were no observed adverse affects of baseline medical therapy, intravenous diuretics, or intravenous inotropes on renal functions or mortality when used in conjunction with nesiritide in the treatment of decompensated chronic heart failure.