Aims Acetazolamide inhibits proximal tubular sodium and bicarbonate re-absorption and improved decongestive response in acute heart failure in the ADVOR trial. It is unknown whether bicarbonate levels alter the decongestive response to acetazolamide. Methods and results This is a sub-analysis of the randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled ADVOR trial that randomized 519 patients with acute heart failure and volume overload in a 1:1 ratio to intravenous acetazolamide (500 mg/day) or matching placebo on top of standardized intravenous loop diuretics (dose equivalent of twice oral maintenance dose). The primary endpoint was complete decongestion after 3 days of treatment (morning of day 4). Impact of baseline HCO3 levels on the treatment effect of acetazolamide was assessed. : Of the 519 enrolled patients, 516 (99.4%) had a baseline HCO3 measurement. Continuous HCO3 modelling illustrated a higher proportional treatment effect for acetazolamide if baseline HCO3 ≥ 27 mmol/l. A total of 234 (45%) had a baseline HCO3 ≥ 27 mmol/l. Randomization towards acetazolamide improved decongestive response over the entire range of baseline HCO3− levels (P = 0.004); however, patients with elevated baseline HCO3 exhibited a significant higher response to acetazolamide [primary endpoint: no vs. elevated HCO3; OR 1.37 (0.79–2.37) vs. OR 2.39 (1.35–4.22), P-interaction = 0.065), with higher proportional diuretic and natriuretic response (both P-interaction < 0.001), greater reduction in congestion score on consecutive days (treatment × time by HCO3-interaction <0.001) and length of stay (P-interaction = 0.019). The larger proportional treatment effect was mainly explained by the development of diminished decongestive response in the placebo arm (loop diuretics only), both with regard to reaching the primary endpoint of decongestion as well as reduction in congestion score. Development of elevated HCO3 further worsened decongestive response in the placebo arm (P-interaction = 0.041). A loop diuretic only strategy was associated with an increase in the HCO3 during the treatment phase which was prevented by acetazolamide (day 3: placebo 74.8% vs. acetazolamide 41.3%, P < 0.001). Conclusion Acetazolamide improves decongestive response over the entire range of HCO3− levels; however, the treatment response is magnified in patients with baseline or loop diuretic-induced elevated HCO3 (marker of proximal nephron NaHCO3 retention) by specifically counteracting this component of diuretic resistance.

Background: Acetazolamide inhibits proximal tubular sodium reabsorption and improved decongestion in the Acetazolamide in Decompensated heart failure with Volume OveRload (ADVOR) trial. It remains unclear whether the decongestive effects of acetazolamide differ across the spectrum of left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). Methods: This is a pre-specified analysis of the randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled ADVOR trial that enrolled 519 patients with acute heart failure, clinical signs of volume overload (edema, pleural effusion or ascites), NTproBNP >1,000 ng/L or BNP >250 ng/ml, to receive intravenous acetazolamide (500 mg once daily) or placebo on top of standardized intravenous loop diuretics (twice oral home maintenance dose). Randomization was stratified according to LVEF (≤40% or >40%). The primary endpoint was successful decongestion, defined as the absence of signs of volume overload within three days from randomization without the need for mandatory escalation of decongestive therapy because of poor urine output. Results: Median LVEF was 45% (25-75 th percentile: 30-55%) and 43% had a LVEF ≤40%. Patients with lower LVEF were younger, more likely to be male, with a higher prevalence of ischemic heart disease, a higher NTproBNP, less atrial fibrillation, and lower estimated glomerular filtration rate. No interaction on the overall beneficial treatment effect of acetazolamide on the primary endpoint of Successful decongestion (OR=1.77, 95% CI=[1.18-2.63], p=0.005, all p-values for interaction >0.401) was found when LVEF was assessed per randomization stratum (≤/ >40%), or as HFrEF, HFmrEF and HFpEF, or on a continuous scale. Acetazolamide resulted in improved diuretic response measured by higher cumulative diuresis and natriuresis and shortened length of stay without treatment effect modification by baseline LVEF (all p-values for interaction >0.160). Conclusions: Acetazolamide when added to treatment with loop diuretics in patients with AHF improves the incidence of successful decongestion, improves diuretic response and shortens length of stay, without treatment effect modification by baseline LVEF.

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O presente artigo procura discutir e problematizar as questões que permeiam o debate entre a liberdade e a censura da informação, esclarecendo as principais diferenças entre a liberdade de imprensa e a liberdade no contexto da publicidade. Esclarecendo o papel e a importância da informação na esfera pública, espera-se contribuir para o entendimento de que o jornalismo e a publicidade estão em dimensões distintas e que, portanto, a liberdade não pode ser a mesma para ambos