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Hypernatremia in brain-dead patients
Weixin Guo1, Shouhong Wang1, Zhonghua Wang1
1Guangdong provincial Geriatric's Institute, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, China.
Objectives:
Hypernatremia often occurs in patients with brain death. This study summarizes its characteristics.
Methods:
We recorded 57 patient's highest blood sodium value, as well as daily NT-proBNP, blood creatinine, and urine output. Further, we analyzed the time of the first rise in blood sodium, and the relationship between NT-proBNP, serum creatinine, urine output, and serum sodium.
Results:
There was no hyponatremia in these patients, and only seven of the 53 patients registered blood sodium between 137 and 150 mmol/L. We found that blood sodium started to rise at 36.0 (28.5-52.3) h, reaching the highest value in 79.0 (54.0-126.0) h. Urine volume and creatinine have no correlation with serum sodium level, while NT-proBNP has a significant correlation with serum sodium level.
Conclusion:
It is necessary to conduct volume assessments and urine electrolyte testing on patients with brain death. BNP has a protective effect on water and electrolytes to prevent hypernatremia.
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