154. Cardiology vs Nephrology: A Diuretic Showdown with Dr. Michael Felker & Dr. Matt Sparks

CardioNerds, Amit Goyal and Daniel Ambinder, join Duke University CardioNerds Ambassador and Correspondent, Dr. Kelly Arps for the diuretic showdown of a lifetime. Join us for this Cardiology vs. Nephrology discussion and respective approach to volume overload and diuretic strategies with Dr. Michael Felker (Professor of Medicine with tenure in the Division of Cardiology at Duke University School of Medicine), and Dr. Matt Sparks (Founding member of the Nephrology Social Medial Collective and #NephJC and Associate Professor of Medicine and Program Director for the Nephrology Fellowship Program at Duke University School of Medicine). Episode introduction, audio editing and Approach to Diuretic Resistance infographic by Dr. Gurleen Kaur (Director of the CardioNerds Internship). Volume overload is a common indication for hospitalization in patients with heart failure. Loop diuretics are first line therapy for volume overload in heart failure, with assessment for adequate response within 3-6 hours after administration. Elevation in creatinine is common with venous congestion as well as during decongestion. While other causes of renal injury should be considered, an elevated creatinine in this context should not automatically trigger avoidance or cessation of diuresis. Diuretic resistance is an exaggerated form of natural safety mechanisms in the face of diuresis. Strategies for addressing diuretic resistance include optimizing dose and frequency of loop diuretic administration, adding adjunctive medication for sequential nephron blockade (i.e., thiazide diuretic, potassium sparing diuretic, acetazolamide, tolvaptan, SGLT2 inhibitor), and, in refractory cases, hemodialysis with ultrafiltration. In the outpatient setting, transition to a more potent loop diuretic (i.e., torsemide or bumetanide from furosemide), addition of a mineralocorticoid antagonist, or intermittent dosing of thiazide diuretic may augment maintenance diuretic therapy for patients with diminished response to loop diuretics.  Check out the CardioNerds Failure Heart Success Series Page for more heart success episodes and content! Relevant disclosures: None Pearls • Notes • References • Guest Profiles • Production Team CardioNerds Heart Success Series PageCardioNerds Episode PageCardioNerds AcademyCardionerds Healy Honor Roll CardioNerds Journal ClubSubscribe to The Heartbeat Newsletter!Check out CardioNerds SWAG!Become a CardioNerds Patron! The CardioNerds Heart Success Series is developed in collaboration with the Heart Failure Society of America. The Heart Failure Society of America is a multidisciplinary organization working to improve and expand heart failure care through collaboration, education, research, innovation, and advocacy. Its members include physicians, scientists, nurses, nurse practitioners, and pharmacists. Learn more at hfsa.org. Pearls - Cardiology vs Nephrology: A Diuretic Showdown Elevation in creatinine is expected in both congested states and during diuresis. Do not avoid or stop diuresis in a patient who is clearly volume overloaded based on an elevated creatinine. There may be a role for right heart catheterization if the fluid and/or hemodynamic status is unclear. Alkalosis in the setting of loop diuretic administration and diuretic resistance may represent a natural response to loop diuretics and not volume depletion. Ensure adequate potassium repletion and try using a mineralocorticoid antagonist to correct this alkalosis. Acetazolamide is rarely necessary but may be of use.Currently available evidence does not support extreme fluid or salt restriction in hospitalized patients with volume overload. Consider permissive restrictions and focus on choosing appropriate diuretic dosing for each individual patient. Diuretic resistance is an exaggerated form of diuretic braking, the kidney’s natural response to prevent dangerous degrees of sodium loss from the NKCC2-blocking effects of loop...