• A patient presented with hypernatremia (plasma sodium level equals 171 mEq/L), marked congestive heart failure, and fluid retention. A high-salt intake and an inappropriate lack of thirst in this patient with poor cardiac function resulted in hypernatremia accompanied by edema. Hypertonic salt intake may have been due, in part, to zinc deficiency.
(Arch Intern Med 1986;146:402-403)