Tolvaptan therapy for massive edema in a patient with nephrotic syndrome.
BACKGROUND
Nephrotic syndrome (NS) is characterized by water and sodium retention, which leads to edema. The non-osmotic stimulation of arginine vasopressin release from the pituitary gland has been implicated as one of the important factors in abnormal water retention in patients with NS.


METHODS
We present the initial description of a patient with massive edema caused by refractory nephrotic syndrome, which was effectively treated with tolvaptan, a selective oral vasopressin V2 receptor antagonist.


CONCLUSIONS
Tolvaptan is effective for the treatment of massive edema caused by NS. Larger studies are needed in the future to fully assess the value and safety of tolvaptan use for this condition.
Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Institute of Medical, Pharmaceutical and Health Sciences, Kanazawa University, 13-1 Takaramachi, Kanazawa, 920-8641, Japan, shimizum@staff.kanazawa-u.ac.jp.
Masaki
M
Shimizu
Sayaka
S
Ishikawa
Yusuke
Y
Yachi
Masahiro
M
Muraoka
Yuko
Y
Tasaki
Hidenori
H
Iwasaki
Mondo
M
Kuroda
Kazuhide
K
Ohta
Akihiro
A
Yachie
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D065092:Antidiuretic Hormone Receptor Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001552:Benzazepines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D004487:Edema / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009404:Nephrotic Syndrome / Q000150:complications*; D011239:Prednisolone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006435:Renal Dialysis; D000077602:Tolvaptan; D014563:Urodynamics
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D065092:Antidiuretic Hormone Receptor Antagonists; D001552:Benzazepines; D000077602:Tolvaptan; D011239:Prednisolone