B-vitamin deficiency in hospitalized patients with heart failure.

The impact of heart failure and its treatment on specific nutrient requirements is unknown. Furthermore, depletion of water-soluble B vitamins that play key roles in the production of cellular energy in patients with heart failure can contribute to depletion of energy reserves observed in the failing heart. A cross-sectional study recently reported that approximately one third of hospitalized patients with heart failure had tissue levels suggestive of thiamin deficiency (vitamin B-1).

The prevalence of thiamin deficiency in hospitalized patients with congestive heart failure.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of thiamin deficiency (TD) in a cross section of hospitalized congestive heart failure (CHF) patients and to investigate factors that contribute to its development.

Background: Thiamin deficiency manifests as symptoms of CHF and, therefore, may worsen existing heart failure. Congestive heart failure patients may be at increased risk for TD as a result of diuretic-induced urine thiamin excretion, disease severity, malnutrition, and advanced age.