Predisposing Factors for Serum Sodium Disturbance in Patients With Severe Traumatic Brain Injury (Sbi) Publisher



Abrishamkar S¹ ; Safavi M² ; Tavakoli P¹ ; Moradi D² ; Honarmand A² Show Affiliations
Source: Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences Published:2010

Abstract

Aim: Disturbances in the plasma sodium level in patients with severe brain injury (SBI) is not a rare phenomenon and may cause adverse effects on prognosis and treatment outcomes. The knowledge of the prevalence of risk factors helps in early detection and good management of the serum sodium level disturbance. Materials and methods: This is a prospective clinical trial double blind study. The target population included patients with SBI who had disturbances in their plasma sodium level and were admitted at the ICU of Kashani Hospital Isfahan Iran between January and October 2006. The patients with renal insufficiency diuretic therapy massive transfusion brain death and spinal cord injury were excluded. Gender age the prevalence of hypo- and hypernatremia having tracheal tube or tracheostomy requiring mechanical ventilation support craniotomy type of intracranial pathology positive history of cardiopulmonary disease the mean time after which the disturbance occurs and the mean time needed for the recovery from the disturbance were studied. Results: The prevalence of hypo- and hypernatremia were 60% and 40% respectively. Most of the patients were 21-50- year-old males with craniotomy. The mean time after which the disturbance occurs was 23 days after head trauma and the mean time needed for the recovery from sodium level disturbances was 11.5 days. Conclusion: Hypo- and hypernatremia are common complications of intracranial lesions. Early detection of serum sodium level disturbance is important in these patients and appropriate treatment may actually improve prognosis. © TUBITAK.