Two cases of severe hyponatremia with polydipsia: response to desmopressin acetate and hypertonic saline

Abstract

Patients with profound hyponatremia and severe symptoms following polydipsia often show polyuria and rapid sodium correction, which is associated with a risk osmotic demyelination syndrome. We report two cases of polydipsia leading to profound hyponatremia with severe symptoms. One patient was treated by infusion of a large volume of free water, while the other was treated with desmopressin acetate and 3% hypertonic saline. Overcorrection of serum sodium was avoided in both patients. Desmopressin acetate with hypertonic saline is a safe and useful treatment for severe hyponatremia following polydipsia.