Drinking to near death--acute water intoxication leading to neurogenic stunned myocardium

Am J Emerg Med. 2016 Jan;34(1):119.e3-4. doi: 10.1016/j.ajem.2015.05.055. Epub 2015 Jun 14.

Abstract

Neurogenic stunned myocardium is a rare disease entity that has been typically described as a consequence of subarachnoid hemorrhage and, less commonly, seizures. Here we describe a case of a healthy young woman who drank excessive free water causing acute hyponatremia complicated by cerebral edema and seizure, leading to cardiogenic shock from neurogenic stunned myocardium. Two days later, she had complete return of her normal cardiac function.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Myocardial Stunning / diagnosis*
  • Myocardial Stunning / etiology*
  • Myocardial Stunning / therapy
  • Water Intoxication / complications*
  • Water Intoxication / therapy