VASCULAR EFFECTS OF LOOP DIURETICS

Although it is generally believed that the beneficial effect of loop d iuretics is the result of a rapid increase in diuresis, substantial ev idence, from a large number of in vitro and in vivo experiments, has a ccumulated showing that administration of furosemide causes direct vas cular effects, which probably contribute to its acute clinical effects . Several mechanisms are involved in the vascular response to loop diu retics. The role of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone axis, prostaglan dins and the direct vascular effects of loop diuretics on both the art erial and venous parts of the vasculature are discussed.