Short-Term Effects of Hypertonic Saline Solution in Acute Heart Failure and Long-Term Effects of a Moderate Sodium Restriction in Patients With Compensated Heart Failure With New York Heart Association Class III (Class C) (SMAC-HF Study)

Abstract

IntroductionHypertonic saline solution (HSS) and a moderate Na restriction plus high furosemide dose showed beneficial effects in compensated heart failure (HF), in short and long terms. The study was aimed to verify the effects of this combination on hospitalization time, readmissions and mortality in patients in New York Heart Association (NYHA) class III. MethodChronic ischemic or nonischemic cardiomyopathy uncompensated patients with HF in NYHA III functional class with ejection fraction <40%, serum creatinine <2.5mg/dL, blood urea nitrogen <60mg/dL and reduced urinary volume were single-blind randomized in 2 groups: the first group received a 30-minute intravenous infusion of furosemide (250mg) plus HSS (150mL) twice daily and a moderate Na restriction (120mmol); the second group received furosemide intravenous bolus (250mg) twice a day, without HSS and a low Na diet (80mmol); both groups received a fluid intake of 1000mL/d. After discharge, the HSS group continued with 120mmol Na/d; the second group continued with 80mmol Na/d. ResultsA total of 1771 patients (881 HSS group and 890 without HSS group) met inclusion criteria: the first group (881 patients), compared with the second (890 patients), showed an increase in diuresis and serum Na levels, a reduction in hospitalization time (3.5+1 versus 5.5+1days, P < 0.0001) and, during follow-up (57+15months), a lower rate in readmissions (18.5% versus 34.2%, P < 0.0001) and mortality (12.9% versus 23.8%, P < 0.0001); the second group also showed a significant increase in blood urea nitrogen and serum creatinine. ConclusionThis study suggests that in-hospital HSS administration, combined with moderate Na restriction, reduces hospitalization time and that a moderate sodium diet restriction determines long-term benefit in patients with NYHA class III HF.