A quantitative approach to intravenous fluid therapy in the syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion

Abstract

A wide range of interesting mathematical models has been derived to predict the effect of intravenous fluid therapy on the serum sodium concentration (most notably the Adrogué–Madias equation), but unfortunately, these models cannot be applied to patients with disorders characterized by aberrant antidiuretic hormone (ADH) release, such as the syndrome of inappropriate ADH secretion (SIADH). The use of intravenous fluids in these patients should prompt caution, as the inability of the kidneys to properly dilute the urine can easily result in deterioration of hyponatremia.