Tuttolomondo A, Maida C, Casuccio A, et al. - Researchers compared the impacts of furosemide + hypertonic saline solution (HSS) treatment, vs furosemide alone, in patients suffering from acute decompensated heart failure, and the response in a compensated state following an acute saline load with regard to serum concentrations of heart failure biomarkers. A comparable degree of decrease in the serum levels of interleukin-6, soluble suppression of tumorigenicity 2, and N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide was seen in patients managed with furosemide plus HSS vs controls treated with furosemide alone. This finding indicates that a decrease in serum heart failure markers was not associated with the higher degree of congestion relief with a more rapid achievement of a clinical compensation state. This issue may exert likely advantages on clinical practice regarding its therapeutic impacts over and beyond the simple relief of clinical congestion signs and symptoms. Post-treatment with i.v. furosemide plus HSS, higher delta values were observed suggesting a likely greater efficacy by means of modulation of the stretching and fibrosis mechanisms.