Sodium concentration, ECF volume, and the treatment of severe hypo/hypernatremia (Proceedings)
Apr 01, 2008
CVC IN WASHINGTON, D.C. PROCEEDINGS
Sodium concentration is an expression of the relative numbers of sodium molecules to water molecules, irrespective of the total numbers. Sodium content represents the total number of sodium molecules present in the extracellular fluid compartment (ECF).
Sodium concentration is a transcellular fluid flux issue and is dealt with in this chapter. Sodium content is a volume issue heralded by physical indications of hypovolemia or dehydration/edema, and is dealt with in chapters dealing with hypovolemia and dehydration. Abnormalities in sodium concentration (hyponatremia; hypernatremia) may occur in any combination with abnormalities in sodium content (dehydration; edema). Laboratory measurements (packed cell volume, total protein concentration, and electrolyte concentrations) determine the nature of the fluid loss and the nature of the fluid replenishment. Polycythemia or hypernatremia do not define dehydration.Free water is qualitatively expressed in terms of the sodium concentration, compared to normal for the fluid in question. Free water must be added to reduce a sodium concentration from 145 mEq/L to 120 mEq/L, for instance. Free water excess is synonymous with hyponatremia and is caused by a free water gain. Hypernatremia is a free water deficit and is caused by free water loss. Free water may be lost via evaporation (lungs and skin) or by losing fluids which are low in sodium compared to normal ECF (diarrhea, vomitus, urine). Free water may be gained by drinking water or may be administered in the form of 5% dextrose in water.
Urine sodium concentration normally varies between 60 and 100 mEq/L. Lower urine sodium values represent free water loss (which may result in a free water deficit in the ECF - hypernatremia), while higher values represent a lack of free water loss (which may result in a free water excess in the ECF - hyponatremia).
Free water losses and gains change sodium concentration with minimal changes in blood volume (e.g. free water loss will cause hypernatremia but not much hypovolemia). Sodium concentration and sodium content are different in concept and they do not overlap; concentration and content abnormalities commonly occur together. Sodium concentration abnormalities are water abnormalities. Edema/dehydration are sodium content or "saline" or "crystalloid" abnormalities.
ECF sodium content (aka ECF volume)