[The syndrome of inappropriate secretion of vasopressin (SIADH) (author's transl)].

The syndrome of inappropriate ADH secretion ("SIADH") was first recognized 1935 by Roth et al. and described in detail 1957 by Schwartz et al. The clinical symptoms (hyponatremia, hypertonicity of urine and inability to excrete a water load) are caused by inadequately elevated ADH secretion under a variety of situations and diseases. Some recent work was focused on the pathogenesis of this syndrome and new clinical findings (low plasma levels of uric acid and potassium) as well as special forms ("SIADH" without elevated vasopressin levels in plasma) are thought to be of relevance. New therapeutical recommendations will be discussed.