Endocrine Abstracts

Hyponatraemia is the commonest electrolyte disorder in hospitals and frequently encountered in patients with heart failure (HF). Elevated circulating levels of arginine vasopressin AVP correlate with disease severity with higher levels in decompensated HF. The activation of AVP from posterior pituitary is mediated through pressure sensitive baroreceptors by impaired cardiac output resulting in increased passive water reasorption in the kidneys with resultant hyponatraemia. This case illustrates decline in sodium level to <120 mmol/l in HF patient despite fluid management and discontinuation of diuretic. A short-term use of Tolvaptan normalises the serum sodium (SNa) and subsequent reintroduction of diuretic without adverse outcome.

Tolvaptan, a V2 receptor antagonist is licensed for treatment of SIADH in Europe based on two RCTs, SALT 1 and SALT 2. In both trials, heart failure with hyponatraemia accounted for 33 and 29% respectively. Tolvaptan significantly increased the average daily AUC for the SNa concentration from baseline to study day 4 through day 30 compared to placebo.

Case: 85-year-old lady with known LVSD with ejection fraction of 50% was admitted with symptoms of heart failure and treated with intravenous diuretic. Though her symptoms improved, her SNa gradually declined despite stopping the diuretic. Biochemistry showed SNa 114 with S osmolality 243 mOsm/kg, Urine osmolality 678 mOsm/kg and urine sodium of <20. She had ‘appropriate’ ADH elevation due to HF as evidenced by raised UrOsm in the setting of low SOsm. Tolvaptan 15 mg was started and SNa was 131 mmol/l on day 4 with reduction in weight. Tolvaptan was discontinued. Her diuretic was restarted on day 8 and her SNa remained in normal range.

Discussion: Tolvaptan offers additional spectrum in the management of HF to improve symptoms and correction of moderate to severe hyponatraemia in selected cases. (Note: not licensed for HF in Europe)

Declaration of interest

Invited speaker for Otsuka company.