Abstract
Beriberi has almost completely disappeared from Japan as nutritional status has improved, but sporadic cases have occurred, especially in Western Japan, over about the past 20 years.
A patient with acute renal failure and peripheral neuritis associated with high-output heart failure is reported. A diagnosis of cardiac beriberi, was made, because the heart failure markedly improved when vitamin B1 was given. The acute renal failure appeared to have been caused by direct drug toxicity combined with indirect damage due to rhabdomyolysis. Hemofiltration and hemodialysis were performed, and the renal failure improved together with the cardiac beriberi.
The symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of this patient are reported with a discussion of the relevant literature.
