Hyponatremia Treatment Guidelines - Have They Gone Too Far?

Hyponatremia is a common electrolyte abnormality affecting hospitalized patients.¹ It is an independent predictor for mortality and is associated with increased length of hospital stay and higher costs. The most serious potential complication is hyponatremic encephalopathy, a medical emergency that can result in death or irreversible brain injury if inadequately treated.² Hypertonic saline is a safe and effective means of correcting hyponatremia.^2-4 A rare yet serious complication from excessive correction of chronic hyponatremia is the development of cerebral demyelination.