Studies on Congestive Circulatory Failure

Abstract

Chloride balances were determined in 40 patients suffering from congestive circulatory failure and 6 with normal cardiac function, while diuretics were administered. The effect of digitalis was to increase the renal excretion of chlorides and water about equally; this action was significant in only one-third of the cases. Mercurial diuretics primarily increased the urinary concentration of chlorides in every case except when plasma chlorides were low. A xanthine (theobromine) appeared to exert a greater action on the excretion of water than on chlorides.