wet beri-beri
Last reviewed 01/2018
This form of beriberi is characterised by oedema.
The aetiology of the oedema is twofold:
- lactate and pyruvate accumulate in the blood and cause vasodilatation and increased extravasation of fluid into the tissues
- the cardiomyopathy of thiamine deficiency causes heart failure
Clinically, the patient has warm, oedematous peripheries with a fast, bounding pulse. Central venous pressure is raised but cardiac output falls, resulting in heart failure. The ECG may show conduction abnormalities.