Sibbel S, et al. - Researchers investigated how clinical outcomes during the first year of dialysis were influenced by the early decision to continue loop diuretics at hemodialysis start. A total of 11,297 patients with Medicare Part A and D benefits who had an active supply of a loop diuretic at dialysis initiation were included and followed-up under an intention-to-treat paradigm for up to 12 months. Whether loop diuretic prescription was refilled after dialysis initiation and within 30 days of exhaustion of prior supply was assessed. A total of 5,219 patients refilled a loop diuretic and 6,078 eligible controls did not. After adjustments for patient mix and clinical differences, lower rates of hospitalization and intradialytic hypotension as well as lower interdialytic weight gain were evident in association with continuation of loop diuretics after hemodialysis initiation. However, the mortality over the first year of dialysis remained unaltered.