Application of established pathophysiologic processes brings greater clarity to diagnosis and treatment of hyponatremia

Figure 5 Effect of changes in extracellular volume, pressure and osmolality on plasma vasopressin levels. Note the marked increase in vasopressin levels with volume depletion which is more potent that the osmolar stimulus so a volume depleted will maintain high vasopressin levels despite the coexisting hypo osmolality of plasma. Printed with permission, Stricker et al[37]. AVP: Arginine vasopressin.