Beriberi heart disease. A case report describing the haemodynamic features

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Nutritional Science
• Internal Medicine

Background:

• Beriberi heart disease is a critical consideration in patients presenting with cardiac failure, particularly those with a history of alcohol abuse or malnutrition.
• High-output cardiac failure can be a manifestation of severe thiamine deficiency (beriberi).

Observation:

• This study observed the immediate hemodynamic response to intravenous thiamine administration in a patient diagnosed with high-output beriberi.
• Hemodynamic parameters were monitored in real-time following thiamine infusion.

Findings:

• Intravenous thiamine administration resulted in a rapid decrease in cardiac output and stroke volume.
• These hemodynamic changes, while significant, did not fall below normal physiological levels.
• A concurrent rise in systemic vascular resistance was observed post-thiamine administration.

Implications:

• These findings underscore the efficacy of thiamine in rapidly reversing the acute hemodynamic disturbances associated with beriberi heart disease.
• Prompt recognition and treatment of thiamine deficiency are crucial for managing cardiac dysfunction in at-risk populations.
• This case highlights the importance of considering nutritional deficiencies in the differential diagnosis of cardiac failure.