All concepts, explanations, trials, and studies have been
re-written in plain English and may contain errors. I am
not a doctor
-----------------------------------------------------------

NOTE: You can make the print bigger with the font button
on your browser! (It's usually a big "A")

----------------------------------------------------------

Thiamine Deficiency In CHFers Taking Loop Diuretics

Researchers studied whether CHFers taking furosemide (Lasix)
had reduced thiamine levels. Thirty-two CHFers taking at
least 40 mg furosemide daily were included. Patients were
put in 2 groups: one group taking less than 80mg per day and
the other group taking 80 mg or more each day.
	Evidence of severe thiamine deficiency was found in
98% (24 of 25) patients taking at least 80 mg per day
furosemide and in 57% of patients (4 of 7) taking 40 mg daily.
	Thiamine deficiency may occur in most CHFers taking
a loop diuretic like Lasix (furosemide).

Title:   Thiamine deficiency in congestive heart failure patients
         receiving long term furosemide therapy.
Authors: Zenuk C, Healey J, Donnelly J, Vaillancourt R, Almalki
         Y, Smith S.
Source:  Can J Clin Pharmacol. 2003 Winter;10(4):184-8.
PMID:    14712323.

==========================================================

Some CHFers do not improve even with best drug therapy. Doctors
must always look for a possible factor that can be treated
instead of writing off a patient!
	We treated a 58 year old Hispanic man with idiopathic
DCM who had severe CHF and peripheral neuropathy. His heart
function was weak and his blood pressure was low.
	We discovered that he had thiamine deficiency and he
quickly improved when given thiamine supplement. CHF patients
should have their thiamine level tested if they do not respond
well to therapy.

Title:   Reversal of refractory congestive heart failure after
         thiamine supplementation: report of a case and review
         of literature.
Authors: Mendoza CE, Rodriguez F, Rosenberg DG.
Source:  J Cardiovasc Pharmacol Ther. 2003 Dec;8(4):313-6.
PMID:    14740081.