Research Information System
SENDROM, vol.8, no.4, pp.35-42, 1996 (Scopus)
Many cardiovascular disease interfere with the normal renal excretion of sodium, chloride and water, leading to their retention in an expanded extracellular fluid compartment. Diuretic drugs promote the renal loss of solutes and water. In spite of their use since more than 60 years the long-term effects, role on electrolyte disturbances, the neurohumoral system, effects on mortality and the risk/benefit ratio was evaluated in a few extensive clinical trials. The article looks over the general characteristics of diuretics, their use in cardiovascular disease, effects and side-effects on the basis of new trials and literature in this field.