Missing Vitamin C: A Case of Scorbutic Cardiac Tamponade

JACC Case Rep. 2019 Aug 21;1(2):192-196. doi: 10.1016/j.jaccas.2019.07.006. eCollection 2019 Aug.

Abstract

Scurvy is a disorder of vitamin C deficiency which leads to vascular fragility and multisystemic complications. The paper presents a case of scurvy resulting in cardiac tamponade in addition to its classic manifestations. Life-threatening tamponade is an extreme presentation of scurvy and has not been reported in modern publications to the best of the present authors' knowledge. (Level of Difficulty: Beginner.).

Keywords: Ao, aorta; CT, computed tomography; GERD, gastroesophageal reflux disease; JVP, jugular venous pressure; LA, left atrium; LV, left Ventricle; PE, pericardial effusion; RA, right atrium; RV, right ventricle; TTE, transthoracic echocardiogram; alcoholism; malnutrition; scurvy; tamponade; vitamin C.

Publication types

  • Case Reports