International Heart Journal 2012-01-01

Correction of hyponatremia by tolvaptan before left ventricular assist device implantation.

Teruhiko Imamura, Koichiro Kinugawa, Taro Shiga, Naoko Kato, Miyoko Endo, Toshiro Inaba, Hisataka Maki, Masaru Hatano, Atsushi Yao, Yasunobu Hirata, Takashi Nishimura, Shunei Kyo, Minoru Ono, Ryozo Nagai

Index: Int. Heart J. 53(6) , 391-3, (2012)

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Abstract

Hypervolemic hyponatremia is often complicated with advanced heart failure together with increased excretion of sodium by diuretics. Tolvaptan, an oral vasopressin-2-receptor antagonist, has been previously reported to improve congestion and correct hyponatremia through increased excretion of free water. However, there is little evidence concerning the administration of tolvaptan in patients with stage D heart failure. We experienced 2 patients with stage D heart failure who received 3.75 mg/day of tolvaptan to correct hyponatremia before ventricular assist device implantation. It may be useful, even for patients with stage D heart failure, to administer a low dose of tolvaptan to treat hyponatremia before ventricular assist device implantation to avoid a drastic alteration in serum sodium concentration perioperatively.