Diuresis in continuous versus bolus loop diuretic therapy

Increase in urinary sodium excretion (UNa) after intravenous bumetanide, given as a continuous infusion (solid line) or as a bolus (dashed line), in patients with stable chronic kidney disease. The continuous infusion produced a 30% greater increase in UNa than bolus therapy due to a more favorable rate of diuretic excretion. In addition, the natriuretic response declined over time with both regimens. With the bolus, for example, the peak natriuretic response to the second dose was 25% less than that to the first.