Monday, January 14, 2019

Hyponatremia in hepatic cirrhosis

Q: Hyponatremia should be treated aggressively in hepatic cirrhosis patients who are not the candidates for liver transplant? (select one)

A) True
B) False


Answer: B

In contrast to hypokalemia, hyponatremia practically has no clinical effect on patients with liver cirrhosis unless until it is less than 120 mEq/L. 


It requires treatment only in 2 cases


1. If neurologic symptoms appear to be related to hyponatremia


2. A patient is going for a liver transplant. In such a case, sodium should be raised to 130 mEQ/L. Again, care should be taken to avoid very rapid correction due to the risk of osmotic demyelination syndrome (central pontine myelinolysis).


#hepatology

#electrolytes


References:


Angeli P, Wong F, Watson H, et al. Hyponatremia in cirrhosis: Results of a patient population survey. Hepatology 2006; 44:1535.

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