Hemodynamic Factors Involved in the Regulation of Sodium Balance

Abstract

Sodium salts constitute more than 90% of the total solute contained in extracellular fluid. Therefore, the content of the extracellular fluid volume is dependent on the regulation of sodium balance. Since sodium salts are excreted primarily by the kidney, it follows that the regulation of sodium balance will be determined by the relationship between sodium intake and the renal handling of sodium. In this chapter I briefly review the factors involved in the renal handling of sodium, emphasize how hemodynamic alterations may play a major regulatory role in the system, and, last, discuss the possible role of the dopaminergic receptor in this model.