A case of ST-elevation and nystagmus--when coronary thrombosis is not to blame.
We present the case of a post-menopausal female who, following a prolonged period of vomiting and diarrhoea, presented acutely with Wernicke's; encephalopathy, chest pain, ST-segment elevation and congestive cardiac failure associated with hypotension. Coronary angiography demonstrated no abnormality. Haemodynamics improved significantly in the short-term following intravenous thiamine replacement, with complete resolution of all ST-segment abnormalities and normalization of left ventricular function at six-week follow-up. Shoshin beriberi in the context of metabolic alkalosis, secondary to severe electrolyte depletion, is exceptional and is a differential diagnosis to be considered in all malnourished patients presenting with symptoms and signs suggestive of an acute coronary syndrome, especially those with a history of alcohol-dependence.
Daly
M J
MJ
The Heart Centre, Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK. michaeljdaly@hotmail.com
Dixon
L J
LJ
D001145:Arrhythmias, Cardiac / Q000209:etiology*; D001602:Beriberi / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis; D003328:Coronary Thrombosis / Q000175:diagnosis; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004562:Electrocardiography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008133:Long QT Syndrome / Q000209:etiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009759:Nystagmus, Pathologic / Q000209:etiology*