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World J Cardiol. Sep 26, 2013; 5(9): 317-328
Published online Sep 26, 2013. doi: 10.4330/wjc.v5.i9.317
Published online Sep 26, 2013. doi: 10.4330/wjc.v5.i9.317
Hyponatremia in patients with heart failure
Theodosios D Filippatos, Moses S Elisaf, Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Ioannina, 45110 Ioannina, Greece
Author contributions: Filippatos TD wrote the review, Elisaf MS edited and supervised the manuscript.
Correspondence to: Moses S Elisaf, MD, FRSH, FASA, FISA, Professor, Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Ioannina, Staurou Niarchou Avenue, 45110 Ioannina, Greece. egepi@cc.uoi.gr
Telephone: +30-26510-07509 Fax: +30-26510-07016
Received: June 23, 2013
Revised: July 30, 2013
Accepted: August 16, 2013
Published online: September 26, 2013
Processing time: 94 Days and 16.6 Hours
Revised: July 30, 2013
Accepted: August 16, 2013
Published online: September 26, 2013
Processing time: 94 Days and 16.6 Hours
Core Tip
Core tip: Patients with heart failure and hyponatremia have increased morbidity and mortality compared with subjects with normal sodium levels. Established treatment options for hyponatremia in heart failure such as fluid restriction or the use of hypertonic saline with loop diuretics have limited efficacy and compliance issues. Arginine vasopressin (AVP)-receptor antagonists increase sodium levels and exhibit beneficial effects on hemodynamic variables in patients with heart failure. However, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials examining the effects of AVP-receptor antagonists on mortality, quality of life and length of hospital stay in patients with heart failure and hyponatremia are missing.