Table 1 Baseline characteristics of the study population
|  | Continuous infusion (n = 43) | Bolus (n = 39) |
|---|---|---|
Age (years) | 80 ± 4 | 79 ± 5 |
Sex | Â | Â |
 Female | 24 | 18 |
 Male | 19 | 21 |
Baseline weight (kg) | 72 ± 7 | 69.7 ± 10 |
Blood pressure (mmHg) | 142/87 | 145/86 |
Heart rate (beats/minute) | 102 ± 12 | 98 ± 16 |
Cardiac disease | Â | Â |
 Coronary artery disease | 24 | 21 |
 Idiopathic cardiomyopathy | 7 | 7 |
 Hypertrophic cardiomiopathy | 4 | 6 |
 Valvular disease | 8 | 5 |
Baseline creatinine (mg/dl) | 1.62 ± 0.5 | 1.52 ± 0.4 |
BUN | 100.60 ± 60 | 69.2 ± 31 |
eGFR (mL/min/1.73 m2)) | 43.2 ± 7.6 | 45.7 ± 8.7 |
Serum sodium (mEq/L) | 137.2 ± 5 | 138 ± 5 |
Serum potassium (mEq/L) | 4.19 ± 0.4 | 4.26 ± 0.5 |
Left ventricular ejection fraction (%) | 34.3 ± 10 | 35.8 ± 8 |
LV internal diastolic diameter (mm) | 68 ± 8 | 66 ± 9 |
LV internal systolic diameter (mm) | 48 ± 10 | 45 ± 8 |
Estimated Pulmonary Artery (PA) systolic pressure (mmHg) | 50 ± 6 | 48 ± 5 |
Signs of congestion | Â | Â |
 Elevated jugular venous pressure | 16 | 18 |
 Additive heart sound | 11 | 13 |
 Peripheral edema | 33 | 30 |
 Pulmonary rales | 38 | 35 |
Coronary risk factors (%) | Â | Â |
 Diabetes mellitus | 55.2 | 61.1 |
 Hypertension | 89.4 | 87.9 |
 Dyslipidemia | 72.4 | 75 |
 Previous Coronary artery disease (CAD) | 46.2 | 49.4 |
Atrial fibrillation (%) | 36.6 | 41.3 |
Baseline BNP (pg/mL) | 1204 ± 693 | 1099 ± 571 |
Previous therapy | Â | Â |
 ACE-inhibitors | 38 | 33 |
 β-Blockers | 22 | 21 |
 Nitrates | 25 | 26 |
 Diuretics | 39 | 35 |
 Angiotensin receptor blockers | 5 | 7 |
 Digoxin | 13 | 11 |
 Aldosterone antagonist | 15 | 12 |