Effects of furosemide versus isolated ultrafiltration on extravascular lung water in oleic acid-induced pulmonary edema.

We studied the effects of no treatment, furosemide treatment, and isolated ultrafiltration on extravascular lung water (ETVL) in mongrel dogs in whom pulmonary edema was induced with oleic acid. In all treatment groups, ETVL was significantly elevated 90 min after oleic acid infusion. At 270 min, we found no difference between nontreatment and furosemide. There was, however, a significant difference between no treatment and ultrafiltration but not between furosemide and ultrafiltration. In spite of observations which suggest that ultrafiltration is of benefit in reducing ETVL, we could not demonstrate superiority of one therapy over another.