Problem based review: the patient presenting with hyponatraemia
Saeed, M.; Ahmad, S.; Hayat, A.; Saeed, S.
Acute Medicine 13(2): 86-89
2014
ISSN/ISBN: 1747-4892 PMID: 24940573 Document Number: 14356
Hyponatraemia is the most common electrolyte anomaly and is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Patients with severe hyponatraemia often present to acute medical units with non-specific symptoms which can progress to overt neurological manifestations. There are many causes of hyponatriaemia, the most common being drug-induced causes, particularly thiazide diuretics, and the Syndrome of Inappropriate ADH Secretion (SIADH). Initial assessment should include a careful evaluation of the patient's volume status, which helps to identify the most likely cause. This article utilises a recent case which presented to our AMU to illustrate the importance of a careful and systematic assessment of patients presenting to hospital with hyponatraemia. The new vasopressin receptor antagonists are explored as an option for the management of severe hyponatraemia.
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