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Table 3 Diuretic Adjustment Algorithm

From: Comparison of a one-time educational intervention to a teach-to-goal educational intervention for self-management of heart failure: design of a randomized controlled trial

Instructed adjustment

Instructed adjustment

Prescribed loop diuretic dose and frequency

Instructed Adjustment

Instructed Adjustment

Low Red Zone

Low Yellow Zone

Green Zone

High Yellow Zone

High Red Zone

Weight 8# or less than target

If Weight is 4–7#

Less than target

Target weight +/- 3 lbs

(Euvolemic)

If Weight 4–7 #

More than target

Weight 8# or more

Above target

nothing

nothing

20 mg qd

20 mg bid

20 mg bid

nothing

20 mg qd

20 mg bid

40 mg bid

40 mg bid

nothing

20 mg qd

40 mg qd

40 mg bid

40 mg bid

nothing

40 mg qd

40 mg bid

80 mg bid

80 mg bid

nothing

40 mg qd

80 mg qd

80 mg bid

80 mg bid

nothing

half dose qd

> 80 mg qd

> 80 mg bid

> 80 mg bid

nothing

80 mg qd

80 mg or more bid

80 mg bid, thiazide 25 mg qd*

80 mg bid, thiazide 25 mg qd*

nothing

160 mg qd

160 mg bid

160 mg bid, thiazide 25 mg qd*

160 mg bid, thiazide 25 mg qd*

Alternative schedule if Physician prefers diuretic doubled in one does vs. two

Nothing

nothing

20 mg qd

40 mg qd

40 mg qd

Nothing

20 mg qd

40 mg qd

80 mg qd

80 mg qd

Nothing

40 mg qd

80 mg qd

160 mg qd

160 mg qd

nothing

80 mg qd

160 mg qd

160 mg bid

160 mg bid