Bumetanide: a new diuretic. Results of clinical efficacy and safety in patients with congestive heart failure.

A clinical study of bumetanide, a new diuretic, was conducted in outpatients of a cardiology clinic to determine its long-term effectiveness and safety in the treatment of peripheral edema due to congestive heart failure. The drug was administered for at least 24 weeks on a selected group of 34 patients. The patients were monitored for clinical response, evidenced by changes in cardiac signs and symptoms, and by laboratory tests, as well as by slit-lamp ophthalmic examination, electrocardiogram, and chest x-ray. Based on the clinical evaluation of effects on body weight, chronic edema, functional physical capacity, and results of selected laboratory data, it was concluded that bumetanide is as effective as other diuretics and can be used as an initial diuretic for maintenance of body weight for long-term use in patients with peripheral edema due to congestive heart failure. Bumetanide mobilizes peripheral edema effectively in most patients and leads to improvement in functional physical capacity. Safety and adverse reactions during treatments are discussed.