[Right heart failure caused by thiamine deficiency (cardiac beriberi)].
BACKGROUND
Vitamin B1 deficiency (beriberi) is very uncommon in France. It leads to high output cardiac failure totally different from the situation observed in alcoholic patients. We report a typical case of cardiac beriberi.


METHODS
The patient was referred for dyspnea with high output cardiac failure. Echocardiography evidenced severe pulmonary hypertension and high cardiac output. The more common causes of heart failure were ruled out. The dietary habits of the patient (suggested beriberi which was confirmed by the low serum thiamin and therapeutic test with vitamin B1.


CONCLUSIONS
High output cardiac failure should suggest possible Shoshin beriberi, particularly in subjects with imported dietary habits living in a precarious socioeconomic situation.
Akpan
T
T
Service de Médecine interne, CHI Meulan, Les Mureaux.
Peschard
S
S
Brinkane
A H
AH
Bergheul
S
S
Leroy-Terquem
E
E
Levy
R
R
D001602:Beriberi / Q000150:complications* / Q000628:therapy; D002302:Cardiac Output; D017548:Echocardiography, Transesophageal; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D006976:Hypertension, Pulmonary / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013831:Thiamine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013997:Time Factors
D013831:Thiamine