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.