ACUTE PERNICIOUS OR FULMINATING BERIBERI HEART-DISEASE - A REPORT OF 6 PATIENTS

Objective: To investigate the incidence and presentation of acute pern icious or fulminating beriberi in a general district hospital. Methods : All patients with a diagnosis of acute pernicious or fulminating ber iberi heart disease made between 1978 and 1994 were identified, and th eir medical records were retrospectively examined. Results: Six cases of acute pernicious or fulminating beriberi heart disease were recogni zed. The disease was characterized by circulatory shock and peripheral cyanosis. All patients had severe lactic acidosis, in 5 of them witho ut hypoxaemia. Four patients were alcoholics. The most important diagn ostic criterion was the impressive improvement after thiamine administ ration. Conclusions: Acute pernicious or fulminating beriberi heart di sease can be recognized occasionally. Thiamine should be administered as soon as possible in suspected cases.