Objective Tolvaptan, a vasopressin V2 receptor antagonist, is a water diuretic, removing electrolyte-free water from the kidneys and affecting the water balance between the intracellular and extracellular fluid. We previously reported that tolvaptan efficiently reduced the intracellular fluid volume, suggesting its utility for treating cellular edema. Furthermore, tolvaptan is known for its low incidence of worsening the renal function, with conventional diuretics use associated with worsening of the renal function Methods In this retrospective observational study, five chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients with fluid retention were assessed by the bioelectrical impedance (BIA) method twice (before and after tolvaptan therapy). Tolvaptan was used with conventional diuretics. The post/pre ratio of extracellular water (ECW)/total body water (TBW) in the tolvaptan group was compared with that in 18 CKD patients undergoing body fluid reduction with conventional diuretics alone (conventional diuretics groups), taking the reduced amount of body fluid into consideration. Results Removing body fluid, either by tolvaptan or by conventional diuretics alone, decreased the ECW/TBW ratio. Of note, the reduction in extracellular fluid was milder in the tolvaptan group than in the conventional diuretics group. Conclusion Tolvaptan reduces the extracellular fluid per amount of body fluid reduction less markedly than conventional diuretics.
Keywords: bioimpedance; conventional diuretics; extracellular fluid (ECF); intracellular fluid (ICF); tolvaptan; worsening of renal function.