Spot Urinary Sodium Measurements: the Future Direction of the Treatment and Follow-up of Patients with Heart Failure

This article aims to provide answers to the role of urinary sodium measurements in acute and chronic heart failure.Recent FindingsIn acute heart failure, urinary sodium concentrations at the moment of admission and after diuretic administration are correlated with short- and long-term outcome. As this is a reflection of the degree of sodium retention, it can be used as a guide in the diuretic titration. In chronic heart failure, it might be used to predict and consequently prevent episodes of decompensation.SummaryUrinary sodium measurements hold great promises to be a novel diagnostic and therapeutic parameter in patients with acute and chronic heart failure. However, more research is needed.
Source: Current Heart Failure Reports - Category: Cardiology Source Type: research