The Malnourished Heart: An Unusual Case of Heart Failure
February 2017
in “
The American journal of medicine
”
Studysummary This case report highlights that repletion of various micronutrients, including thiamine, significantly improved heart failure symptoms and cardiac function in a malnourished patient with vitamin deficiencies.
Our plain-language summary. Not medical advice or a treatment recommendation. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before changing treatment. Full disclaimer
A 66-year-old woman with no past medical history presented with worsening heart failure symptoms, including dyspnea, edema, and orthopnea, alongside signs of malnutrition such as patchy hair loss, bruises, and gingival bleeding. Her diet for the past 2 years consisted solely of processed cheese chips and vanilla cake, leading to deficiencies in vitamins B1, B6, C, and D. Despite refusing medications, she accepted vitamin supplementation and dietary counseling. After 3 months, her left ventricular ejection fraction improved from <20% to 50%, and her heart failure symptoms resolved. This case highlighted the critical role of micronutrient repletion in treating malnourished patients with heart failure, suggesting that deficiencies in vitamins and micronutrients should be considered in similar clinical scenarios.
