Exertional Dysnatremia in Collapsed Marathon Runners

Abstract

Dysnatremia may cause life-threatening encephalopathy in marathon runners. Hypernatremia and exercise-associated hyponatremia (EAH) may manifest with mental status changes and, if untreated, progress to coma and death. We reviewed the on-site blood sodium testing and treatment in collapsed runners at the finish-line medical tent at the Boston marathons from 2001 through 2008. Dysnatremia was diagnosed in 429 (32.5%) of 1,319 collapsed runners. Hypernatremia was present in 366 (27.7%) and hyponatremia in 63 (4.8%). Hypernatremic runners unable to drink fluids were treated with intravenous normal (0.9%) saline. Hyponatremic runners with seizures or coma received intravenous hypertonic (3%) saline. Sixteen runners with EAH able to drink a concentrated oral hypertonic solution recovered within 30 minutes. Based on on-site sodium testing, dysnatremic runners were treated with appropriate intravenous fluids according to validated standards of care. Hyponatremic runners able to drink an oral hypertonic solution recovered promptly.