Electrophysiologic Properties of Furosemide in Man

Furosemide has been extensively used in the treatment of heart failure and its effect on cardiovascular dynamics are well established. Clinical relief of the symptoms of pulmonary congestion frequently precedes any demonstrable diuretic effect, suggesting that extra renal factors may also be involved. More recent studies on the extra-renal action of furosemide showed an increase of venous capacitance as an early hemodynamic effect of the drug. In spite of furosemides wide use in the treatment of heart failure and hypertension, there is no information on the electrophysiologic properties of the drug in man. The present study involving 8 human subjects was undertaken to determine what effect intravenously administered furosemide has on the human conduction system.