Mild Chronic Hyponatremia in the Ambulatory Setting: Significance and Management

Abstract

Mild chronic hyponatremia, as defined by a persistent (>72 hours) plasma sodium concentration between 125 and 135 mEq/L without apparent symptoms, is common in ambulatory patients and generally perceived as being inconsequential. The association between increased mortality and hyponatremia in hospitalized patients in various settings and etiologies is widely recognized. This review analyzes the significance of mild chronic hyponatremia in ambulatory subjects and its effects on mortality and morbidity. It addresses whether this disorder should even be treated and if so, which patients are likely to benefit from treatment. The available approaches to correct hyponatremia in such patients in the context of recently published panel-generated recommendations and guidelines are described.

Keywords: hyponatremia; morbidity; mortality; tolvaptan; urea.

Copyright © 2015 by the American Society of Nephrology.

Figures

Figure 1.

Mild chronic hyponatremia is associated with gait disturbances. The recorded projection of the center of gravity over a pressure-sensitive calibrated platform or total traveled way (TTW) in three patients (A–C) after a 10-second tandem walk from right to left with eyes opened is shown. The left panel shows the TTW during mild chronic hyponatremia, and the right panel shows the TTW after correction of hyponatremia. Irregular paths of the center of pressure were observed in the hyponatremia condition (arrows). Reprinted from reference , with permission.

Figure 2.

Mechanism of action of drugs commonly used to treat hyponatremia. (A) ADH works by stimulating vasopressin receptors V2 (V2Rs) located in the basolateral membrane of the principal cells in the collecting duct (CD). V2Rs are Gs protein–coupled receptors that, when stimulated, increase cAMP production by adenylcyclase (ADC)-mediated conversion of ATP into cAMP. Elevated levels of cAMP activate protein kinase A (PKA), which in turn, phosphorylates stored aquaporin 2 (AQP2)-containing vesicles and targets them to the apical membrane of CD cells, increasing water permeability. The transport of NaCl into the medulla through the Na+-K+-2Cl− cotransporter (NKCC2), located in the apical membrane of cells in the thick ascending limb of the loop of Henle, is essential for the generation of at least one half of the maximal medullary concentration gradient (600 mOsm/kg), which constitutes a main driving force for water reabsorption along the CD. Loop diuretics work in hyponatremia by inhibiting NKCC2 activity and therefore, interfering with the generation of a hypertonic medulla. Vaptans bind V2R, interfering with ADH action on its receptor. Demeclocycline inhibits ADC enzyme and, perhaps, also has some post-ADC actions. (B) The connecting tubule and cortical and outer medullary CD are impermeable to urea. The inner medullary CD (IMCD) is permeable to urea under the influence of ADH by activation of UTA1 and UTA3. Urea works as an osmotic diuretic in the IMCD, and, probably, along the connecting tubule and CD. In the IMCD, high luminal urea will tend to downregulate urea transporters. In addition, if luminal flow rate is high, there will be less time for urea transport. ADH, antidiuretic hormone; CIC-Kb, basolateral chloride channel; ROMK, renal outer medullary potassium channel; TALLH, thick ascending limb of the loop of Henle, UTA, urea transporters.