Severity of community acquired hypernatremia is an independent predictor of mortality: a matter of water balance and rate of correction

Effectiveness and safety of Tolvaptan in infants with congenital heart disease

BACKGROUND

Tolvaptan (TLV) is a selective vasopressin receptor 2 antagonist administered for congestive heart failure (CHF) after inadequate response to other diuretics. The effectiveness and safety of TLV have been evaluated well in adult patients. However, reports on its use in pediatric patients, especially infants, are scarce.

METHODS

We retrospectively evaluated 41 children younger than 1 year of age who received TLV for CHF for congenital heart disease (CHD) between January 2010 and August 2021. We monitored the occurrence of adverse events, including acute kidney injury and hypernatremia, as well as laboratory data trends.

RESULTS

Of the 41 infants included, 51.2% were male. The median age when TLV was initiated was 2 months, interquartile range (IQR) 1-4 months, and all infants had been administered other diuretics previously. The median dose of TLV was 0.1 mg/kg/day (IQR, 0.1-0.1). Urine output increased significantly after 48 h of treatment: baseline, 315 mL/day (IQR, 243-394); 48 h, 381 mL/day (IQR, 262-518) , p = 0.0004; 72 h, 385 mL/day (IQR, 301-569), p = 0.0013; 96 h, 425 mL/day (IQR, 272-524), p = 0.0006; and 144 h, 396 mL/day (IQR, 305-477), p = 0.0036. No adverse events were observed.

CONCLUSIONS

Tolvaptan can be used safely and efficiently in infants with CHD. From the perspective of adverse effects, initiating administration at a lower dosage is preferable because this was found to be sufficiently effective.

Evaluation and management of hypernatremia in adults: clinical perspectives

Hypernatremia is an occasionally encountered electrolyte disorder, which may lead to fatal consequences under improper management. Hypernatremia is a disorder of the homeostatic status regarding body water and sodium contents. This imbalance is the basis for the diagnostic approach to hypernatremia. We summarize the eight diagnostic steps of the traditional approach and introduce new biomarkers: exclude pseudohypernatremia, confirm glucose-corrected sodium concentrations, determine the extracellular volume status, measure urine sodium levels, measure urine volume and osmolality, check ongoing urinary electrolyte free water clearance, determine arginine vasopressin/copeptin levels, and assess other electrolyte disorders. Moreover, we suggest six steps to manage hypernatremia by replacing water deficits, ongoing water losses, and insensible water losses: identify underlying causes, distinguish between acute and chronic hypernatremia, determine the amount and rate of water administration, select the type of replacement solution, adjust the treatment schedule, and consider additional therapy for diabetes insipidus. Physicians may apply some of these steps to all patients with hypernatremia, and can also adapt the regimens for specific causes or situations.

Efficacy and safety of rapid intermittent bolus compared with slow continuous infusion in patients with severe hypernatremia (SALSA II trial): a study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

Background

Methods

Conclusion

Case Report : Severe Hypernatremia following treatment for Hyperosmolar Hyperglycaemic State : A pragmatic approach used to manage hypernatremia

The Hyperosmolar Hyperglycaemia State (HHS) is an endocrine emergency with a mortality rate between 10 and 50%. The mainstay for the treatment of this condition is vigorous IV fluid replacement with close monitoring of blood glucose, serum osmolality, and electrolytes. However, after initial resuscitation, patients can develop hypernatremia and raised serum osmolality, which have deleterious consequences. While hypernatremia in HHS can be treated with infusions of 0.45% saline or 5% dextrose, alternate measures such as intravenous (IV) hypotonic fluid infusion [e.g. 0.18% sodium chloride (NaCl) containing 4% dextrose and 0.15% potassium chloride (KCl)], or free water administration through a nasogastric (NG) tube can be used. We report the case of a 70-year-old man, who was initially admitted to a medical high care ward (MHC) with HHS, and was transferred to the ICU 72 hours later with an altered level of consciousness and severe hypernatremia. His treatment consisted in an IV hypotonic 0.18% NaCl infusion containing 4% dextrose and 0.15% KCl. He also received free water through a NG tube at a rate that was calculated to correct natremia at an average rate of 0.55 meq L-1 hr-1 over 72 hours. A multipronged approach was instituted to manage this patient, including, in addition to natremia correction, blood glucose control with insulin, appropriate IV antibiotics to treat infected foot ulcers, adequate analgesic medications, low-molecular-weight- heparin (LMWH) for thromboprophylaxis, proton- pump inhibitors, and continuation of patient’s ongoing antidepressant drugs at the time of his Glasgow Coma Score improvement. This case report demonstrates the feasibility and success of IV hypotonic fluid (0.18% NaCl - 4% dextrose - 0.15% KCl), alongside NG free water for correcting sodium levels with lower fluid volumes than would have been otherwise required if corrected with 0.45% saline. This treatment seems to be a reasonable choice for correcting sodium levels and osmolality in HHS patients who present with hypernatremia after an initial resuscitation, insofar as it avoids fluid overload and provides dextrose as an energy substrate, in addition to potassium ions. However, while correcting natremia with hypotonic fluid, other aspects of management should not be ignored.

Electrolyte Disorders Induced by Antineoplastic Drugs

The use of antineoplastic drugs has a central role in treatment of patients affected by cancer but is often associated with numerous electrolyte derangements which, in many cases, could represent life-threatening conditions. In fact, while several anti-cancer agents can interfere with kidney function leading to acute kidney injury, proteinuria, and hypertension, in many cases alterations of electrolyte tubular handling and water balance occur. This review summarizes the mechanisms underlying the disturbances of sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium, and phosphate metabolism during anti-cancer treatment. Platinum compounds are associated with sodium, potassium, and magnesium derangements while alkylating agents and Vinca alkaloids with hyponatremia due to syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion (SIADH). Novel anti-neoplastic agents, such as targeted therapies (monoclonal antibodies, tyrosine kinase inhibitors, immunomodulators, mammalian target of rapamycin), can induce SIADH-related hyponatremia and, less frequently, urinary sodium loss. The blockade of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) by anti-EGFR antibodies can result in clinically significant magnesium and potassium losses. Finally, the tumor lysis syndrome is associated with hyperphosphatemia, hypocalcemia and hyperkalemia, all of which represent serious complications of chemotherapy. Thus, clinicians should be aware of these side effects of antineoplastic drugs, in order to set out preventive measures and start appropriate treatments.

Concentration and Volume: Understanding Sodium and Water in the Body

Nurses need to have a firm grasp of normal and pathophysiological mechanisms of sodium and water balance to fully understand assessment findings and establish a rationale for a patient's plan of care. While multiple mechanisms control sodium and water balance, antidiuretic hormone and aldosterone are the most important hormonal influences. This article, the first in a new series designed to improve nurses' understanding of the physiological abnormalities underlying many disorders, reviews the common etiologies and symptoms of hyponatremia and hypernatremia, as well as the role of nursing care in patients with imbalances of sodium and water. Case studies guide the reader through relevant medical history and examination findings to an understanding of both the nursing and medical plans of care.

Osmotic stress and mortality in elderly patients with kidney failure: a retrospective study

Purpose

Water balance disorders are associated with a high risk of death in elderly patients. The role of osmotic stress intensity and its direction toward hypo- or hypernatremia is a matter of controversy regarding patients’ survival. The aims of this study were, first, to measure the frequency of cellular hydration disorders in patients over 75 years old hospitalized in nephrology department for reversible acute renal failure, and second, to compare the impact of hyperhydration and hypohydration on the risk of death at 6 months.

Patients and methods

We retrospectively studied the data of 279 patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), aged 75 years or older, with pre-renal azotemia who experienced dysnatremia. We classified them according to natremia levels and compared their outcome in univariate and multivariate analysis.

Results

The patients were on average 83.2±5.4 years old. Among them, 128 were normonatremic, 82 were hyponatremic and 69 were hypernatremic. Osmotic stress intensity appreciated by the variation rate of natremia did not differ significantly between hyper- and hyponatremic patients. Patients had CKD stage 3B and 4 with acute kidney injury (AKI) of different severities. We observed that only hypernatremia was linked to death in the first 6 months following hospital discharge.

Conclusion

Hypernatremia is a strong predictor of fatal outcome in elderly patients suffering from chronic kidney impairment and referred for pre-renal azotemia.