Which pharmacologic therapy directly reduces edema by lowering blood volume in heart failure?

Which pharmacologic therapy directly reduces edema by lowering blood volume in heart failure?

• A. Diuretics
• B. Vasodilators
• C. Digoxin
• D. Inotropes

Answer: (A)

Reducing excess fluid volume is the way edema is directly lessened in heart failure. When the heart struggles, fluid backs up and capillary pressures rise, pushing fluid into tissues. Diuretics make the kidneys excrete more salt and water (natriuresis and diuresis), which lowers circulating blood volume. That decrease in volume reduces venous pressures and capillary hydrostatic pressure, so less fluid leaks into the interstitial spaces and edema improves. Other drugs may lessen heart failure symptoms by changing pressures or improving contraction, but they don’t directly remove volume to decrease edema.

Reducing excess fluid volume is the way edema is directly lessened in heart failure. When the heart struggles, fluid backs up and capillary pressures rise, pushing fluid into tissues. Diuretics make the kidneys excrete more salt and water (natriuresis and diuresis), which lowers circulating blood volume. That decrease in volume reduces venous pressures and capillary hydrostatic pressure, so less fluid leaks into the interstitial spaces and edema improves. Other drugs may lessen heart failure symptoms by changing pressures or improving contraction, but they don’t directly remove volume to decrease edema.