Tolvaptan therapy for massive edema in a patient with nephrotic syndrome.

BACKGROUND

Nephrotic syndrome (NS) is characterized by water and sodium retention, which leads to edema. The non-osmotic stimulation of arginine vasopressin release from the pituitary gland has been implicated as one of the important factors in abnormal water retention in patients with NS.

CASE-DIAGNOSIS/TREATMENT: We present the initial description of a patient with massive edema caused by refractory nephrotic syndrome, which was effectively treated with tolvaptan, a selective oral vasopressin V2 receptor antagonist.

CONCLUSIONS

Tolvaptan is effective for the treatment of massive edema caused by NS. Larger studies are needed in the future to fully assess the value and safety of tolvaptan use for this condition.