Heart failure & cardiomyopathies

Comparative Strategies to Overcome Diuretic Resistance in Heart Failure: A Network Meta-Analysis

JACC AdvPublished random-effects network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Authors' conclusion

In HF with diuretic resistance, sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors may lower rehospitalization with a favorable renal profile, whereas nephron-segment add-ons enhance short-term decongestion but warrant AKI/electrolyte monitoring; rankings are exploratory, and choices should emphasize absolute effects and 95% CIs.

Study context

Population
Adults with heart failure and diuretic resistance
Participants
9,685 adults19 randomized controlled trials (RCTs)
Comparison
Pharmacologic strategies for diuretic resistance in heart failure (HF)
Outcome
72-h urine output and standardized 72-h weight
Follow-up
72 hours
Methodological detailsRCTs
  • RCTs

Pooled result

As reported in the abstract

SMD (95% CI)
Hydrochlorothiazide72-hour weight change; greatest standardized reductions
1.33(0.49–2.18)
Tolvaptan72-hour weight change; greatest standardized reductions
0.69(0.09–1.29)

MD, mL

Tolvaptan vs low-dose loop diuretics · 72-hour urine output increased
1,840 (95% CI 441–3,240)
Low-dose loop plus tolvaptan vs low-dose loop diuretics · 72-hour urine output increased
1,643 (95% CI 53–3,234)

Further pooled results

Heart failure hospitalizations

OR (95% CI)
DapagliflozinReduced heart failure hospitalizations0.15 (0.03–0.73)
EmpagliflozinReduced heart failure hospitalizations0.19 (0.04–0.94)

Follow-up-adjusted mortality (incidence rate ratios)

Neutral to favorable but imprecise and consistent in ≤60-day sensitivity analyses

Safety

Acute kidney injury

OR (95% CI)
High-dose loop diureticsIncreased acute kidney injury2.27 (1.20–4.30)
HydrochlorothiazideIncreased acute kidney injury4.14 (2.03–8.42)

Original publication

Comparative Strategies to Overcome Diuretic Resistance in Heart Failure: A Network Meta-Analysis. JACC Adv. Published 23 February 2026. doi:10.1016/j.jacadv.2026.102617

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