Congestive cardiac failure following laxative withdrawal.
We report the case of a 60-year-old woman who presented with weakness and hypokalaemia due to excessive use of laxatives. When the laxatives were withdrawn, she developed severe congestive cardiac failure requiring treatment with a diuretic and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor. There was no underlying cardiac abnormality, and these drugs were eventually stopped with no recurrence of the cardiac failure. The possible mechanisms of heart failure following laxative withdrawal is discussed.
Riley
J A
JA
St James's University Hospital, Leeds, UK.
Brown
A R
AR
Walker
B E
BE
D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002216:Captopril / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002400:Cathartics / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004232:Diuretics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D005665:Furosemide / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D013375:Substance Withdrawal Syndrome; D014883:Water-Electrolyte Imbalance / Q000139:chemically induced
D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors; D002400:Cathartics; D004232:Diuretics; D005665:Furosemide; D002216:Captopril