PROLONGED USE OF MASSIVE DOSES OF UREA IN CARDIAC DROPSY

Abstract

This report presents some of our results of the prolonged use of large amounts of urea in cases of cardiac dropsy. We shall emphasize, among other matters, chiefly three points; first, that the diuretic properties of this drug do not weaken during months and several years of practically uninterrupted use; second, that there follow no demonstrable deleterious effects on the patient; more specifically, the renal structures remain unaltered and their function unimpaired, and third, that urea acts, alone or in combination with other agents, in selected cases, as an excellent prophylactic in preventing the reaccumulation of edema. Of the many patients in our wards who were subjected to treatment with urea, we are reporting at this time the cases of five in full. These cases will illustrate the methods and results. METHODS Nearly all the patients in this study have been at the Montefiore Hospital for many months or several