An open, randomized comparative study of a low-strength frusemide/amiloride combination and bumetanide/potassium chloride in the treatment of mild congestive cardiac failure.

In an open, randomized, parallel group study lasting 8 weeks, nine males and nine females with mild congestive cardiac failure were initially treated daily with 20 mg frusemide/2.5 mg amiloride or 0.5 mg bumetanide/573 mg potassium chloride. In two patients receiving the frusemide combination and in one receiving the bumetanide combination, the daily dose was doubled after 2 weeks' treatment because of inadequate control of symptoms. Mild congestive cardiac failure symptoms (raised jugular venous pressure, oedema and dyspnoea at rest and on effort) were controlled in 9/10 patients receiving frusemide/amiloride but two patients receiving bumetanide/potassium chloride still had mild oedema after 8 weeks. Both treatments were well tolerated overall and there were no clinically significant changes in plasma electrolytes, although one patient treated with frusemide/amiloride was withdrawn due to adverse events.