Restricting fluid in HF may not be necessary after all

The outcomes of the FRESH-UP study questioned the assumed benefit of a fluid restriction regimen in patients with chronic heart failure (HF). The study did not reveal an advantage in disease outcomes for participants on a fluid restriction regimen compared with those not on a fluid restriction regimen, while the latter did suffer from thirst distress. “Although restricting fluid is a common recommendation for patients with HF, evidence in this area is of low quality,” outlined Dr Roland van Kimmenade (Radboud University Medical Center, the Netherlands) [1]. That was the rationale for the FRESH-UP study (NCT04551729), which compared fluid restriction with liberal fluid intake in patients with chronic HF. Participants (n=504) were randomised 1:1 to fluid restriction, which comprised an advised maximum intake of 1,500 mL per day, or liberal fluid intake. The primary outc...

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Posted on 22 May 202522 May 2025