The purpose of this study was to determine: (1) whether stable heart failure patients with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) have elevated extravascular lung water (EVLW) when compared with healthy control subjects; and (2) the effect of acute β2-adrenergic receptor (β2AR) agonist inhalation on lung fluid balance.Twenty-two stable HFrEF patients and 18 age- and gender-matched healthy subjects were studied. Lung diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide (DLCO), alveolar–capillary membrane conductance (DmCO), pulmonary capillary blood volume (Vc) (via re-breathe) and lung tissue volume (Vtis) (via computed tomography) were assessed before and within 30 minutes after administration of nebulized albuterol. EVLW was derived as Vtis – Vc.Before administration of albuterol, Vtis and EVLW were higher in HFrEF vs control (998 ± 200 vs 884 ± 123 ml, p = 0.041; and 943 ± 202 vs 802 ± 133 ml, p = 0.015, respectively). Albuterol decreased Vtis and EVLW in HFrEF patients (–4.6 ± 7.8%, p = 0.010; –4.6 ± 8.8%, p = 0.018) and control subjects (–2.8 ± 4.9%, p = 0.029; –3.0 ± 5.7%, p = 0.045). There was an inverse relationship between pre-albuterol values and pre- to post-albuterol change for EVLW (r2 = –0.264, p = 0.015) and DmCO (r2 = −0.343, p = 0.004) in HFrEF only.Lung fluid is elevated in stable HFrEF patients relative to healthy subjects. Stimulation of β2ARs may cause fluid removal in HFrEF, especially in patients with greater evidence of increased lung water at baseline.