Fluctuations in Blood Lipid Levels During Furosemide Therapy

Background

Acute decreases in intravascular volume are associated with increases in lipid levels. Furosemide causes acute changes in intravascular volume during prolonged therapy but is thought to have little effect on lipid levels.

Methods

To determine if there are daily acute rises in lipid and lipoprotein levels associated with changes in intravascular volume during long-term furosemide ingestion therapy, we performed a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover study in 10 patients.

Results

In the 8 hours after furosemide ingestion there were increases in levels of plasma cholesterol (10.1%;P=.001), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (9.0%;P=.006), and apolipoprotein B (9.8%;P=.003). The increases in levels of triglycerides (11.5%;P=.17) and apolipoprotein A-1 (13.3%;P=.051) were of similar magnitude but more variable and did not achieve statistical significance. There was no substantial change in the total cholesterol–high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio (0.6%; 95% CI,−0.74% to 8.6%;P=.88).

Conclusion

This study indicates that there are acute increases in lipid levels after furosemide ingestion during prolonged therapy, which could affect the interpretation of lipid levels and cardiovascular risk in patients.