Intravenous furosemide is used for rapid control of symptoms in acute left ventricular failure. It provides quick relief of dyspnoea by :: (A) Producing bronchodilation, (B) Causing rapid diuresis and reducing circulating blood volume, (C) Causing venodilation, (D) Stimulating left ventricular contractility
Answer is C. Furosemide is a high ceiling diuretic.
Its major mode of benefit in acute pulmonary edema is vasodilation. Due to its vasodilatory action, it shifts the fluid from pulmonary to the systemic circulation. This results in the rapid relief of symptoms.
The diuretic action develops later.