[Comparative study of 2 diuretic-containing combination preparations in patients with edematous heart failure].

The efficacy and tolerability of two combinations, namely 50 mg spironolactone + 20 mg furosemide (SF) or 50 mg spironolactone + 5 mg butizide (SB), were compared in a randomised intraindividual trial in 22 patients with congestive heart failure. The parameters used were: weight, ankle- and calf-circumference, blood pressure, resting pulse, resting ECG, spirometry and blood chemistry. The physicians' judgement of the success of treatment was also recorded. Clinical symptoms improved clearly in both groups and in most cases there was significant improvement of the various parameters. The trend towards improvement was more apparent with SF. The physicians considered SF to be more effective in 12 cases compared to one case with SB. In all other cases both treatments were considered equally effective. The blood chemistry data showed relevant differences: serum-potassium levels were less scattered with SF and showed a - desirable - shift into the upper normal range. The number of patients with elevated serum-creatinin-levels increased during SB-treatment whereas the opposite was noted with SF. This could be due to furosemide's positive effects on renal functions.