Re-feeding syndrome and alcoholic cardiomyopathy: A case of interacting diagnoses.

ABSTRACT: Re-feeding syndrome is an uncommon clinical entity of fluid and electrolyte disorders that typically occurs after re-initiation of enteral nutrition following prolonged fasting. This disorder can be complicated by left ventricular (LV) dysfunction, arrhythmias, and death. Alcohol abuse and anorexia nervosa are independently associated with similar complications. The interaction between these diagnoses can result in significant, but reversible, LV dysfunction. We present the case of a 69-year-old woman with a history of significant alcohol abuse and anorexia nervosa. The patient was admitted to hospital for the management of re-feeding syndrome, which was complicated by significant LV dysfunction. Her LV function normalized following a combination of electrolyte replacement, re-institution

SUBMITTER: Miller RJH 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6282927 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature