Exacerbation of congestive heart failure after administration of polyethylene glycol-electrolyte lavage solution

To report a patient with exacerbation of congestive heart failure after administration of polyethylene glycol-electrolyte lavage solution (PEG-ELS).

A MEDLINE search was performed, using the terms congestive heart failure (CHF), gastric lavage, colonoscopy, irrigation, and gastroparesis, of English-language articles published from January 1980 through January 1995, as well as review of pertinent articles' bibliographies.

A 45-year-old white woman with left ventricular systolic dysfunction and diabetic gastroparesis received 4 L of a PEG-ELS as preparation for colonoscopy. Within 24 hours she presented to the emergency department with shortness of breath and increased bilateral lower extremity edema. She was admitted and treated with intravenous furosemide therapy. After aggressive diuresis her symptoms returned to baseline and she was discharged.

The literature search revealed no report of a patient requiring hospitalization as a result of sodium and water retention after bowel preparation with PEG-ELS. CHF is not considered a contraindication to the use of this solution; however, most studies that included patients with heart failure did not describe the degree of left ventricular dysfunction. Our patient's severe CHF, in combination with chronic renal insufficiency, resulted in significant retention of sodium and water.

Patients with severe left ventricular dysfunction and chronic renal insufficiency who are being considered for procedures that necessitate bowel cleansing with PEG-ELS may be at risk for sodium and water retention and exacerbation of CHF.