Bed rest and increased diuretic treatment in chronic congestive heart failure

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Abstract
To elucidate the effect of bed rest used as an adjunct to increased diuretic treatment, twelve patients with chronic congestive heart failure (CHF) had a 50% increase in loop diuretic dosage and were allocated to either continuous bed rest or bed rest during nights only. The 24-hour bed rest group reduced their weight significantly (mean±SEM: 2.00±0.79 kg, P<0.001), whereas the night bed rest group had no significant weight reduction (1.10±0.37 kg, 0.1<P<0.2) during three days of observation. Furthermore, the 24-hour bed rest group had a significantly increased diuresis (P<0.05) during the first day of the study and a tendency towards increased natriuresis. The cumulated diureses for the two groups (24-hour bed rest versus night bed rest) during the three days of study were 7773±700 ml and 5861±909 ml (0.05 <P<0.1), respectively. Plasma concentrations of adrenaline, nor adrenaline, renin and aldosterone were increased, as measured in the supine position. No significant differences were found between the two groups. Plasma concentrations of antidiuretic hormone were within normal limits. In conclusion, continuous bed rest is a reasonable adjunct to diuretic treatment in patients with CHF.