Patients hospitalized for acute decompensation of CHF are usually complicated by worsening renal function (WRF) which leads to diuretic resistance and inadequate decongestion as well as poor prognosis. WRF has been attributed to a reflex renal vasoconstriction elicited by intravascular volume depletion during brisk diuresis. The investigators hypothesize that CHF patients with hepatic dysfunction are more prone to WRF due to poor albumin production. This sub-group of CHF patients may benefit more (increased diuretic efficacy and protected against worsening renal function) by the use of IV loop diuretics in combination with an intravascular volume expander such as IV Human Albumin.

Acute decompensation of chronic heart failure (CHF) warranting hospital admission, defined as diagnosed on the basis of the presence of at least one symptom (dyspnea, orthopnea, paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea, weight gain, worsening functional class or edema) and one sign (rales, peripheral edema, ascites, increased jugular vein pressure, hepatomegaly, third heart sound gallop or pulmonary vascular congestion on chest radiography) of heart failure plus laboratory or imaging evidence of hepatic dysfunction at randomization

Inclusion Criteria:

1. age over 18 yrs
2. acute decompensation of CHF
3. evidence of hepatic dysfunction by laboratory biochemical measurements or imaging (liver ultrasonography)
4. history of CHF with previous use of an oral loop diuretic
5. anticipated need for IV diuretic therapy for at least 72 hours

There is no pre-specified inclusion criterion with respect to ejection fraction

Exclusion Criteria:

1. hemodynamic collapse (at least one of the following: systolic blood pressure (BP) < 90 mmHg, or BP drop by >= 40 mmHg for >= 15 min, with end-organ hypoperfusion; need for inotropes (except of digoxin); need for cardiopulmonary resuscitation).
2. hepatic dysfunction of other than cardiac etiology
3. severe anemia (Hb<8 g/dL)
4. uncontrolled hypertension or hypertensive emergency/urgency
5. pulmonary edema or pulmonary congestion necessitating use of IV vasodilators
6. serum creatinine > 3 mg/dL or glomerular filtration rate (GFR) < 30 ml/min