The use of Torsemide versus Furosemide in Patients with Heart Failure, a Systematic Review and Meta Analysis

Abstract

Background Loop diuretics are recommended by current guidelines for patients with symptomatic heart failure (HF) with NYHA class II-IV. While torsemide's oral bioavailability and half life theoretically render it a more efficacious drug than furosemide, the clinical outcomes of torsemide compared with furosemide in patients with HF remain unclear. Methods We performed a meta-analysis including all published randomized control trial (RCTs) and observational studies that compared torsemide and furosemide use in chronic HF patients from inception to February 2019. Results Fifteen studies (eight RCTs and seven observational studies) including 9758 patients were included. Over a weighted mean follow-up duration of 8±3 months, torsemide was associated with a lower risk of rehospitalization due to HF (8.6% vs. 12.7%, NNT=23) (OR 0.63, 95% CI (0.44, 0.91), p=0.01, I2=8%) and cardiac mortality (1.6% vs. 4.4%, NNT=37) (OR 0.37, 95% CI (0.20, 0.66), p Conclusion Torsemide use improved functional status and reduced rehospitalization due to HF compared with furosemide in chronic HF patients. Torsemide was also associated with reduced cardiac mortality, but this effect requires further study.