Treatment of hyponatraemic seizures with intravenous 29.2% saline

Abstract

Five patients with severe hyponatraemia and epileptiform seizures were given 50 ml of 29.2% saline (250 mmol) through a central venous catheter over 10 minutes to control seizures rapidly, reduce cerebral oedema, and diminish the incidence of permanent neuronal damage. The saline controlled seizures in all patients, increasing the mean serum sodium concentration by 7.4 (SD 1.14) mmol(mEq)/l and decreasing the mean serum potassium concentration by 0.62 (0.5) mmol(mEq)/l. Further saline and frusemide were then administered over 10 (2) hours, raising the serum sodium concentration by 2.14 (0.49) mmol/l/h until it reached 133 (2.35) mmol/l. A total of 790 (139) mmol saline was infused and a negative fluid balance of 3.34 (0.75) litres achieved. Four patients survived without neurological abnormality. One patient, who was not treated immediately and suffered a prolonged episode of status epilepticus, was left with a permanent neurological defect.