Management of hyponatremia and volume contraction

Neurocrit Care. 2011 Sep;15(2):354-60. doi: 10.1007/s12028-011-9585-9.

Abstract

Hyponatremia is the most common electrolyte imbalance seen in patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage, occurring in one-third to one-half of patients. Hyponatremia may be caused by cerebral salt wasting and by the syndrome of inappropriate secretion of antidiuretic hormone or a combination of both. Limited data are available describing hyponatremia treatment in subarachnoid hemorrhage patients. A Medline search was performed for English-language manuscripts describing original research in the treatment for hyponatremia in patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage. Seven appropriate articles were identified as followed: three testing fludrocortisone, two hydrocortisone, and one each for hypertonic saline and 5% albumin. Data quality for treatment efficacy and safety were moderate for corticosteroid studies and low or very low for hypertonic saline and 5% albumin. Available data, although limited, support early treatment with corticosteroids to limit hyponatremia, with fludrocortisone causing fewer side effects.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Acute Disease
  • Critical Care / methods
  • Fluid Therapy / methods*
  • Humans
  • Hyponatremia / etiology*
  • Hyponatremia / therapy*
  • Hypovolemia / etiology
  • Hypovolemia / therapy
  • Sodium Chloride / therapeutic use*
  • Subarachnoid Hemorrhage / complications*

Substances

  • Sodium Chloride