Bradley A. Bart, MD

We compared the use of early, minimally invasive ultrafiltration with usual care in patients with acute decompensated heart failure in a randomized controlled trial. Ultrafiltration therapy resulted in greater fluid removal than standard therapy and was shown to be a safe and effective alternative to loop diuretics for sodium and fluid homeostasis in patients with heart failure. More research is needed to identify those patients most likely to benefit from this approach.