Suggestions
Idioma
Guide for authors
Searcher
Journal Information
Share
Download PDF
More article options
Visits
24
Review article
Uncorrected Proof. Available online 2 March 2026

Hyponatremia in aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage: A systematic review and meta-analysis on management approaches

Hiponatremia en la hemorragia subaracnoidea aneurismática: revisión sistemática y metaanálisis sobre enfoques de manejo
Visits
24
Mahdi Mehmandoosta, Amirmohammed Bahrib, Diba Akbarzadeha, Amirmohammed Tohidniac, Hamidreza Hassanzadehd, Muhammad Paras Pashazadehe, Mohammadreza Moshreff, Morteza Sheikhi Nooshabadig, Sayeh Oveisih, Mohammadamin Sabbagh Alvanid, Alireza Zalii, Saeed Oraee-Yazdanid, Farzan Fahimj,
Corresponding author
farzn.fahim@gmail.com

Corresponding author.
a Student Research Committee, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
b Student Research Committee, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
c Student Research Committee, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
d Functional Neurosurgery Research Center, Shohada Tajrish Comprehensive Neurosurgical Center of Excellence, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
e Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
f Student Research Committee, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran
g Autoimmune Disease Research Center, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran
h Tehran's Azad University of Medical Science, Iran
i Functional Neurosurgery of Research Center, Shohada-E-Tajrish Hospital, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Science, Iran
j Functional Neurosurgery Research Center, Shohada-E-Tajrish Comprehensive Neurosurgical Center of Excellence, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Ver más
This item has received
Article information
Abstract
Full Text
Bibliography
Download PDF
Statistics
Abstract

Hyponatremia complicates between 32% and 48.9% of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) cases, doubling the risk of cerebral ischemia (24% vs. 12%; p=0.045) and increasing mortality 2.7-fold. However, only 28% of hospitals use standardized protocols, that it highlights the need for evidence-based management. This PRISMA-compliant systematic review and meta-analysis included 21 studies (1749 patients; 1984–2025) from PubMed, EMBASE, and Scopus. The secondary variables analyzed included sodium correction, protocol adherence, delayed cerebral ischemia (DCI) and ICU length of stay. Three main findings were identified: albumin–fludrocortisone synergy: early combination (<72h post-SAH) of albumin (60g/day) and fludrocortisone reduced hyponatremia by 45% (49.2% to 27.0%) and DCI by 29% (adjusted RR=0.63). This approach yielded an NNT of 4.3 compared to 13 for clot retrieval. Time-Phased Protocol: Phase I (days 1–3): Albumin+fludrocortisone decreased symptomatic vasospasm by 67% (p=0.02). Phase II (days 4–7): tolvaptan 15mg/day shortened ICU stay by 3.2 days (p=0.01) and improved 6-month mRS scores by 41.7% (p=0.045). Impact of center volume: high-volume centers (>50 SAH cases/year) had 2.1 times higher protocol adherence (89% vs. 23%) and 35% fewer reoperations. The meta-analysis confirmed a significant reduction in symptomatic vasospasm (pooled OR=0.40; 95% CI: 0.18–0.90; p=0.026) and a higher likelihood of hyponatremia correction (OR=3.37; 95% CI: 1.57–7.27; p=0.002) in groups receiving active protocols (e.g., albumin/fludrocortisone, tolvaptan) compared to standard care or historical controls. Fluid restriction was associated with higher mortality and is discouraged. A bimodal protocol combining early albumin and fludrocortisone followed by later tolvaptan can lead to better clinical outcomes. Greater institutional experience and real-time sodium monitoring are recommended. Phase III trials comparing saline-based strategies vs. albumin-based are needed.

Keywords:
Hyponatremia
Aneurysmal SAH
Albumin protocol
Fludrocortisone
Center of excellence
Resumen

La hiponatremia complica entre el 32% y el 48.9% de los casos de hemorragia subaracnoidea (HSA) aneurismática, duplicando el riesgo de isquemia cerebral (24% frente a 12%; p=0.045) y aumentando la mortalidad 2.7 veces. Sin embargo, solo el 28% de los hospitales utilizan protocolos estandarizados, lo que subraya la necesidad de un manejo basado en la evidencia. Esta revisión sistemática y metanálisis, conforme a “las guías” PRISMA, incluyó 21 estudios (1,749 pacientes; 1984-2025) de PubMed, EMBASE y Scopus. Las variables secundarias analizadas incluyeron la corrección del sodio, la adherencia al protocolo, la isquemia cerebral tardía (DCI) y la estancia en UCI. Se identificaron tres hallazgos principales: Sinergia Albúmina-Fludrocortisona: La combinación temprana (<72 horas post-HSA) de albúmina (60g/día) y fludrocortisona redujo la hiponatremia en un 45% (49.2% a 27.0%) y la DCI en un 29% (RR ajustado=0.63). Este enfoque mostró un NNT de 4.3 en comparación a 13 para la extracción del coágulo. Protocolo en fases temporales: Fase I (días 1-3): Albúmina + fludrocortisona redujeron el vasoespasmo sintomático en un 67% (p=0.02). Fase II (días 4-7): Tolvaptán 15mg/día acortó la estancia en UCI en 3.2 días (p=0.01) y mejoró la escala mRS a los 6 meses en un 41.7% (p=0.045). Impacto del Volumen del Centro: Los centros de alto volumen (>50 casos de HSA/año) tuvieron una adherencia al protocolo 2.1 veces mayor (89% frente a 23%) y presentaron un 35% menos de reoperaciones. El metanálisis confirmó una reducción significativa del vasoespasmo sintomático (OR combinado=0.40; IC 95%: 0.18-0.90; p=0.026) y una mayor probabilidad de corrección de la hiponatremia (OR=3.37; IC 95%: 1.57-7.27; p=0.002) en los grupos que recibieron protocolos activos (p. ej., albúmina/fludrocortisona, tolvaptán) en comparación con la atención estándar o los controles históricos. La restricción de líquidos se asoció con una mayor mortalidad y se desaconseja. Un protocolo bimodal que combina albúmina y fludrocortisona en fase temprana seguido de tolvaptán puede mejorar los resultados clínicos. Se recomiendan una mayor experiencia institucional y la monitorización en tiempo real del sodio. Son necesarios ensayos de fase III que comparen estrategias basadas en soluciones salinas frente a las basadas en albúmina.

Palabras clave:
Hiponatremia
HSA aneurismática
Protocolo de albúmina
Fludrocortisona
Centro de excelencia

Article

These are the options to access the full texts of the publication Neurocirugía (English edition)
Member
Member of the Sociedad Española de Neurocirugía

If it is the first time you have accessed you can obtain your credentials by contacting Elsevier Spain in suscripciones@elsevier.com or by calling our Customer Service at902 88 87 40 if you are calling from Spain or at +34 932 418 800 (from 9 to 18h., GMT + 1) if you are calling outside of Spain.

If you already have your login data, please click here .

If you have forgotten your password you can you can recover it by clicking here and selecting the option ¿I have forgotten my password¿.

Subscriber
Subscriber

If you already have your login data, please click here .

If you have forgotten your password you can you can recover it by clicking here and selecting the option “I have forgotten my password”
Subscribe
Subscribe to
Neurocirugía (English edition)
Purchase
Purchase article

Purchasing article the PDF version will be downloaded

Purchase now
Contact
Phone for subscriptions and reporting of errors
From Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. (GMT + 1) except for the months of July and August which will be from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Calls from Spain
932 415 960
Calls from outside Spain
+34 932 415 960
Email
Idiomas
Neurocirugía (English edition)
Article options
Tools
Supplemental materials