J Spinal Cord Med, 2010 · DOI: · Published: February 1, 2010
This case report discusses the use of a vasopressin receptor antagonist, conivaptan, to treat hyponatremia (low sodium levels in the blood) in a patient undergoing neurologic rehabilitation. Hyponatremia can be a dangerous complication, especially in patients with neurologic conditions, and can be difficult to treat with standard methods. Conivaptan helps the body get rid of excess water, which can raise sodium levels. The study highlights how the standard protocols for using conivaptan may need to be adjusted for patients in rehabilitation centers, especially those with spinal cord injuries, considering their unique physiological conditions and challenges.
The study suggests that the standard conivaptan administration protocols may need to be adjusted in neurologic rehabilitation settings, particularly for patients with spinal cord injuries, to account for their unique physiological characteristics and prevent complications.
Intravenous conivaptan can be considered as an effective and safe treatment option for patients with hyponatremia who have not responded to conventional therapies or have contraindications to other treatments.
While conivaptan is an expensive medication, its use may lead to cost savings by reducing the need for other interventions (e.g., restraints, sedatives) and improving patient outcomes, potentially shortening hospital stays.