INTRODUCTION: The European Society of Cardiology suggests using early and repeated assessment of sodium content in urine in patients admitted with heart failure to evaluate diuretic therapy. OBJECTIVES: Evaluation of the effectiveness of the algorithm for diuretic therapy under the control of natriuresis in patients with acute decompensation of chronic heart failure (ADCHF) in the intensive care unit (ICU). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospective study included 150 patients hospitalized in the ICU with ADCHF. All patients underwent standard physical, laboratory and instrumental examinations. The starting dose of furosemide was 20 mg i/v. After 2 hours, a quantitative assessment of sodium in urine was performed. If the natriuresis was ≥ 70 mmol/l, furosemide was continued at the same dose every 12 hours. If the natriuresis was < 70 mmol/L, the dose of furosemide was doubled. Natriuresis was monitored every 12 hours. RESULTS: In the natriuresis-controlled group the duration of patients' stay in the ICU was significantly shorter (3 vs. 5 days, p = 0.01), achieving euvolemia was significantly more frequent (42 % vs. 12 %, p < 0.05), the daily diuresis in patients was significantly higher on more daily (120 mg vs. 80 mg, p < 0.05) and the total dose of furosemide (420 mg vs. 240 mg, p < 0.05). There was a pronounced decrease in congestion in the group of patients with natriuresis control with less pulmonary (number of B-lines 9.6 ± 1.2 versus 23.4 ± 2.5) and venous congestion (GRADE 0–56 %, 1–20 %, 2–24 %, 3–0 % against 0–20 %, 1–35 %, 2–18 %, 3–27 %) on the 3rd day of hospitalization. CONCLUSION: The inclusion of an algorithm for diuretic therapy under the control of natriuresis in patients with ADCHF in the ICU is effective and contributes to a more pronounced and rapid reduction of congestion, as well as a 1.5-fold reduction of time in the ICU.