Nguyen MK et al. - Based on the principle of mass balance and the empirical relationship between exchangeable Na+, K+, TBW, and the plasma Na+ concentration, a new equation is derived which calculates the volume of IV D5W (VIVF) needed to lower the plasma Na+ concentration ([Na+]p1) to a targeted level ([Na+]p2) by achieving the desired amount of negative H2O balance. This new formula is the first quantitative approach for correcting hypervolemic hypernatremia by achieving negative Na+ and K+ balance in excess of negative H2O balance.
