title: A woman with postoperative hyponatremia related to desmopressin acetate.
abstract: A patient was referred to the intensive care unit with sudden delirium and a serum sodium level of 111 mEq/L (mmol/L). A computerized tomographic scan revealed marked cerebral edema. Laboratory values were highly consistent with the action of the antidiuretic hormone. She had received desmopressin acetate (DDAVP) for 4 days preoperatively and postoperatively for putative van Willebrand's disease. Hyponatremia as a sequel to DDAVP treatment is an unusual complication and the medication is generally safe. However, our patient nevertheless teaches that vigilance equals avoidance.
authors.affiliation: Medical Faculty of the Charité, Franz Volhard Clinic HELIOS Klinikum Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
authors.forename: Adrian
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Schreiber
authors.forename: Sebastian
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kubitza
authors.forename: Friedrich C
authors.initials: FC
authors.lastname: Luft
mesh_terms: D001929:Brain Edema / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*; D003894:Deamino Arginine Vasopressin / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003693:Delirium / Q000139:chemically induced*; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007010:Hyponatremia / Q000209:etiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010048:Ovarian Cysts / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D011292:Premedication / Q000009:adverse effects; D012964:Sodium / Q000097:blood; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014842:von Willebrand Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D012964:Sodium; D003894:Deamino Arginine Vasopressin