Abstract
Background A 20-year old, otherwise healthy, female college student presented in an unresponsive state with respiratory distress after ingesting ecstasy (3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine). She had initial plasma sodium concentration of 117 mmol/l.
Investigations Physical examination, blood chemistry panel, urinary osmolality and electrolytes, arterial blood gas, chest X-ray, and CT scan of the brain.
Diagnosis Hyponatremia associated with noncardiogenic pulmonary edema and cerebral edema.
Management Administration of a total of 6.8 l of isotonic saline and 0.245 l of 3% hypertonic saline with sporadic administration of intravenous furosemide. The patient died approximately 12 h after admission.
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Acknowledgements
K Kalantar-Zadeh is supported by the NIH grant DK61162 and I Kurtz is supported by the NIH grants DK63125, DK58563, DK07789, the Max Factor Family Foundation, the Richard and Hinda Rosenthal Foundation, and the Fredrika Taubitz Fund.
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Kalantar-Zadeh, K., Nguyen, M., Chang, R. et al. Fatal hyponatremia in a young woman after ecstasy ingestion. Nat Rev Nephrol 2, 283–288 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1038/ncpneph0167
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/ncpneph0167
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