Hypernatremia and moderate-to-severe hyponatremia are independent predictors of mortality in septic patients at emergency department presentation: A sub-group analysis of the need-speed trial

Study objective: Early risk stratification of septic patients presenting to the emergency department (ED) is challenging. The aim of the study was to evaluate the prognostic role of plasmatic sodium level (PNa+) derangements at ED presentation in septic patients. Methods: According to PNa+ at ED presentation patients were divided in eunatremic (136–145 mEq/L), hypernatremic (>145 mEq/L) and hyponatremic (