engleski

A systemic approach to the hyponatermic patient

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 medical emergency because these patients have pronaunced symptoms as the result of brain edema. It should be rapidly corrected to approximately 130 mmol/L to prevent brain damage. In chronic severe hyponatremia, the symptoms are mild and there is no brain edema. Many authors recommended 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 alredy demonstrated their efficiency in inducing sustained water diuresis and correction of hyponatremia.

hyponatremia; diagnosis; therapy; complications

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