When someone has congestive heart failure and is filling up fast with fluid...?

Question

How do doctors/nurses remove the fluid from the lungs?

Answer 1

In a "right now" situation, intravenous lasix (furosemide) or other diuretics (meds that make you pee out the water) are used.

The downside is that most of them also rid the body of potassium. So, blood levels have to be followed closely.

Answer 2

Are you asking from the lungs or the heart?

I have CHF but I'm on dialysis (for ESRF) and that takes the fluids off every other day. But before dialysis it was with an IV of meds and sitting on the toilet seems like for hours! But that was in the ER. At home it was Lasix six times a day. I don't think mmuch has changed in the 3 years.

I do know if your lung fills up they can "tap" it with a needle and syring but thats also done in the ER or ICU hospital

Answer 3

doctors usually prescribe diuretics. such as lasix. because lasix can pull out potassium they also usually give potassium also.

chf patients can live a somewhat normal life , but they have to do these things....

weigh daily report more than 3lbs in one day or more than 10lbs in a week.

eat less that 2 gm salt a day.

drink less than 2 litters of water a day.

elevate legs when swollen

these are general chf instructions, your physician may modify according to your health.