The Effect of Add-on Acetazolamide to Conventional Diuretics for Diuretic-resistant Edema Complicated with Hypercapnia: A Report of Two Cases

Intern Med. 2022 Feb 1;61(3):373-378. doi: 10.2169/internalmedicine.7896-21. Epub 2021 Aug 6.

Abstract

We herein report two cases in which add-on acetazolamide to furosemide was effective for diuretic-resistant volume overload and hypercapnia. Case 1 was a woman in her 40s presenting with volume overload due to the nephrotic syndrome with diabetes mellitus. Case 2 was a man in his 60s with fluid overload and non-nephrotic proteinuria and sepsis. In both cases, although fluid overload was resistant to high-dose loop diuretics and complicated with hypercapnia due to pulmonary effusion, add-on acetazolamide administration resulted in symptom resolution. The additional effect of acetazolamide occurred regardless of the degree of proteinuria and kidney function.

Keywords: acetazolamide; diuretic resistance; diuretics; hypercapnia.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Acetazolamide* / therapeutic use
  • Diuretics* / therapeutic use
  • Edema
  • Female
  • Furosemide
  • Humans
  • Hypercapnia
  • Male

Substances

  • Diuretics
  • Furosemide
  • Acetazolamide