Diuresis in hemodynamically compromised patients: continuous furosemide infusion.

We have used continuous infusion of furosemide to achieve diuresis in patients who are stable but hemodynamically compromised after heart operations. With a loading dose of 20 mg and a continuous infusion of 4 to 10 mg of furosemide per hour, mean 24-hour urine output was 5.7 L (238 +/- 65 mL/h). Potassium replacement was 115 +/- 20 mmol [115 +/- 20 mEq/L]. Cardiac index, central venous pressure, and diastolic pulmonary artery pressure did not change significantly, even though hemodynamic support was decreased in each patient. Continuous furosemide infusion is a simple, effective, and reliable method to achieve diuresis in select patients.