Case report

A Systematic Approach to the Hyponatremic Patient

Iva Ratković-Gusić
Petar Kes
Vanja Bašić-Kes

Abstract

Hyponatremia is the most common electrolyte disorder. Sometimes it is not easy to consider the differential diagnosis and to establish a final diagnosis. Hyponatremia is acute severe (less than 115 mmol/L) when lasting for 36 to 48 hours. This condition is a medical emergency because these patients have pronounced symptoms as the result of brain edema. It should be rapidly corrected to approximately 130 mmol/L to prevent permanent brain damage. In chronic severe hyponatremia, the symptoms are mild and there is no brain edema. Many authors recommend correction to approximately 130 mmol/L at a rate of less than 0.5 mmol/h, to minimize the risk of cerebral myelinolysis. In the near future, vasopressin antagonists will become available. Preliminary experience has already demonstrated their efficacy in inducing sustained water diuresis and correction of hyponatremia.

Keywords

Hyponatremia, diagnosis; Hyponatremia, therapy; Hyponatremia, complications

Hrčak ID:

14722

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/14722

Publication date:

3.6.2002.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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