Torasemide inhibits transcardiac extraction of aldosterone in patients with congestive heart failure

The mechanism by which torasemide provides a greater benefit than furosemide remains unknown, but experimental studies indicate that torasemide may inhibit the binding of aldosterone (ALD) to its receptor in the cytoplastic fraction of the rat kidney (2,3). [...]in the present study, we evaluated the transcardiac extraction of ALD, as a potential marker of ALD action in the heart (4,5), in torasemide therapy compared with furosemide therapy in the treatment of patients with CHF. Experimental studies indicate that torasemide inhibits the binding of ALD to its receptor in the cytoplastic fraction of rat kidney (2,3). [...]the serum potassium level was significantly higher in the torasemide group than in the furosemide group in a large series (i.e., TORIC study).