Does thiamine deficiency selectively involve the right ventricle?

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Last updated: June 17, 2025View editorial policy

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From the Guidelines

Thiamine deficiency does not selectively involve the right ventricle but can affect both ventricles of the heart. In the context of thiamine deficiency, the cardiovascular system is impacted, leading to conditions such as congestive heart failure, which suggests a generalized effect on the heart rather than a selective involvement of the right ventricle 1. The clinical manifestations of thiamine deficiency, including beriberi and refeeding syndrome, further support the notion that the deficiency affects multiple systems and organs, including the heart as a whole, rather than targeting specific areas like the right ventricle 1.

Key aspects of thiamine deficiency include:

  • Its presentation as a range of clinical signs and symptoms involving the neurological, psychiatric, and cardiovascular systems 1
  • The potential for causing congestive heart failure, which implies an impact on the heart's overall function rather than a selective effect on one ventricle 1
  • The importance of early suspicion and recognition to enable immediate initiation of therapy, given that thiamine reserves are depleted as early as 20 days of inadequate oral intake 1

Given the information from the espen micronutrient guideline published in Clinical Nutrition in 2022 1, it's clear that thiamine deficiency has a broad impact on the body, including the cardiovascular system, without evidence suggesting a selective involvement of the right ventricle. Therefore, when considering the management of thiamine deficiency, it's essential to focus on the overall cardiac function and the patient's nutritional status, rather than isolating the treatment to a specific ventricle.

From the Research

Thiamine Deficiency and Right Ventricle Involvement

  • Thiamine deficiency can lead to cardiovascular issues, including heart failure, as discussed in 2 and 3.
  • A specific case study in 4 reported a patient with thiamine deficiency presenting with severe right-sided cardiac failure, which improved with thiamine replacement.
  • The study in 4 suggests that thiamine deficiency can selectively involve the right ventricle, as the patient's right ventricular function was impaired and improved with thiamine treatment.
  • However, other studies, such as 5 and 6, focused on the effects of thiamine on the left ventricle or overall cardiac function, without specifically addressing right ventricle involvement.
  • The evidence from 4 indicates that thiamine deficiency can have a significant impact on the right ventricle, but more research is needed to fully understand the relationship between thiamine deficiency and right ventricle involvement, as noted in 2 and 3.

Key Findings

  • Thiamine deficiency can lead to right ventricular failure, as reported in 4.
  • Thiamine replacement can improve right ventricular function, as seen in the case study in 4.
  • The relationship between thiamine deficiency and right ventricle involvement requires further research, as suggested by the lack of specific focus on this topic in studies like 5 and 6.

References

Guideline

Guideline Directed Topic Overview

Dr.Oracle Medical Advisory Board & Editors, 2025

Research

Thiamine and Cardiovascular Disease: A Literature Review.

Progress in cardiovascular diseases, 2018

Research

Thiamine deficiency and cardiovascular disorders.

Nutrition, metabolism, and cardiovascular diseases : NMCD, 2018

Professional Medical Disclaimer

This information is intended for healthcare professionals. Any medical decision-making should rely on clinical judgment and independently verified information. The content provided herein does not replace professional discretion and should be considered supplementary to established clinical guidelines. Healthcare providers should verify all information against primary literature and current practice standards before application in patient care. Dr.Oracle assumes no liability for clinical decisions based on this content.

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