Title PageThiamine Deficiency and Refractory Shock: A Case Report Followed by a Literature ReviewYunyan Jing1; Bin Ni2; Hui Wang1; Ju Lin1; Linan Zhang1, Leqing Lin1*1: Department of Critical Care Medicine, Hangzhou Normal University Affiliated Hospital, #126 Wenzhou Road, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, 310000 China;2: Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Hangzhou Normal University Affiliated Hospital, #126 Wenzhou Road, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, 310000 China;*Corresponding author: Leqing LinDepartment of Critical Care Medicine, Hangzhou Normal University Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang province, China.Adress: #126 Wenzhou Road, Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, 310000 China.Tel: +86-13305710671. E-mail: [email protected]. DRCID: 0009-0006-5941-8585.This author takes responsibility for all aspects of the reliability and freedom from bias of the data presented and their discussed interpretation.The other authors’ emails:Yunyan Jing:[email protected];Bin Ni: [email protected];Hui Wang: [email protected];Ju Lin: [email protected];Linan Zhang: [email protected] Deficiency and Refractory Shock: A Case Report Followed by a Literature ReviewKEYWORDScase report; thiamine deficiency; refractory shock; social withdrawal syndrome; metabolic resuscitation1. INTRODUCTIONThiamine (vitamin B1) is an essential nutrient that plays a critical role in glucose metabolism and the proper functioning of the cardiovascular, nervous, and other systems. A deficiency in thiamine can lead to various health issues, including dry beriberi, wet beriberi, and Wernicke encephalopathy(1). Among these, wet beriberi is a serious disease mainly characterized by damage to the cardiovascular system and can be manifested as acute flare-ups or chronic episodes(1). A fulminant form of wet beriberi is also known as ”Shoshin beriberi”, which is a rare and rapidly progressing condition that can cause death within hours or days if left untreated(1-3). A recent study showed that 79% of patients with Shoshin beriberi were admitted to the ICU, 23% died in the hospital, and more than one-third died within 24 hours of admission(1). Shoshin beriberi’s main characteristics include normal or increased cardiac output, reduced peripheral vascular resistance, and increased lactate levels(3, 4).Thiamine treatment can rapidly reverse the progression of Shoshin beriberi, and this is also an important basis for the diagnosis of the disease(1).The purpose of this article is to present the case of a 46-year-old male patient with thiamine deficiency resulting in associated clinical symptoms that rapidly progressed to refractory shock. The paper describes the difficulties of differential diagnosis, the importance of a thorough history, and the effectiveness of optimal medical treatments, including intravenous vitamin B1 and circulatory support. We emphasize the practical implications of this study and conclude with a summary review of the available literature on Shoshin syndrome.2. CASE PRESENTATIONA 46-year-old male patient was admitted to our emergency room with recurrent chest tightness and shortness of breath for 1 year and a relapse for 1 month. He reported experiencing similar symptoms a year ago at night, diagnosed with acute heart failure at a local hospital, and improved after treatment, discharged without long-term medication. He’s not limited in his daily activities. One month ago, the patient experienced chest tightness and shortness of breath again, which became more pronounced after physical activity, concomitant with significant edema in both lower extremities. As the persistence of the above symptoms without relief, he presented to emergency room of our hospital on August 8, 2024.After admission, the patient presented with dyspnea, a respiratory rate of 30 breaths per minute, accompanied by fever, a body temperature of 38 degrees Celsius, and a heart rate around 108 beats per minute. Physical examination revealed severe pitting edema in both lower extremities. Laboratory tests suggest varying degrees of elevation of indicators such as C-reactive protein (CRP) and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP)(Table1). Transthoracic echocardiography suggests pulmonary artery pressure of 60 mmHg (Figure1A), and chest computed tomography (CT) showed the presence of pulmonary edema (Figure2). Considering that the patient had acute heart failure, pulmonary hypertension, and pneumonia, he was given intravenous furosemide maintenance in combination with nesiritide to improve cardiac function and omadacycline for anti-infective therapy.After treatment, the patient ’s condition did not improve, but rather deteriorated dramatically, progressing to shock (blood pressure 80/49 mmHg) the next day. The patient was given norepinephrine to maintain his blood pressure and was transferred to Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Central venous pressure (CVP) was measured at 26 mmHg. Bedside ultrasound showed a cardiac output of 9.89 liters per minute, and pulmonary hypertension was still present. To rule out the possibility of pulmonary embolism, the patient underwent a CT pulmonary angiogram and received a negative result. Despite the norepinephrine dosage being 0.6ug/kg.min, it was still challenging to maintain blood pressure.3. METHODSTherefore, to further investigate the cause of shock, the patient was put on the Pulse indicator Continous Cadiac Output (PiCCO) monitoring, which indicated increased preload, extravascular lung water content and cardiac output, decreased systemic vascular resistance(Table2), suggesting haemodynamic disorders with high cardiac output and low peripheral vascular resistance.During this period, we ruled out tumors, hyperthyroidism, and pharmacological shock, but it remains a challenge to identify the etiology of refractory shock. A hyperdynamic hemodynamic disorder would seem to require the exclusion of distributive shock first. Septic shock is the most common type of distributive shock, but the patient’s low inflammatory status, as well as adequate preload without fluid resuscitation, do not seem to support this diagnosis. Additionally, the patient’s plasma cortisol level was relatively low (6 mmol/L), and although we administered hydrocortisone intravenously (200mg/d), this did not improve the patient’s condition. The patient’s difficult-to-maintain blood pressure forced us to administer terlipressin in combination with epinephrine.4. RESULTSEventually, we detected extremely low levels of vitamin B1 in the patient, specifically <1 ng/ml. We concluded that the patient had a thiamine deficiency, which led to Shoshin beriberi, and administered vitamin B1 at a dose of 10 mg intramuscularly three times a day for five days before switching to oral administration. From the second day of vitamin B1 treatment, the patient’s circulation miraculously and rapidly improved, blood lactate gradually decreased to normal levels (Figure3), and symptoms abated within days of treatment. Soon, the patient regained his normal activity endurance and was discharged from the hospital after two weeks. A cumulative negative fluid balance of 15,000 ml was achieved during his hospitalization, and at the time of discharge, a transthoracic echocardiogram showed complete resolution of his pulmonary hypertension (Figure1B).5. DISCUSSIONThiamine (vitamin B1) is an essential nutrient. Thiamine pyrophosphate, the active product of thiamine, is an important coenzyme of glucose metabolism(5). Impaired glucose metabolism caused by thiamine deficiency leads to a significant accumulation of pyruvic acid and lactic acid in the body, which can result in lactic acidosis in severe cases(4). The accumulation of pyruvic acid and lactic acid reduces peripheral vascular resistance and increases venous return, leading to an increase in cardiac preload and potentially resulting in the development of acute congestive heart failure(4). Shoshin beriberi is often accompanied by pulmonary hypertension(1). Impaired myocardial energy production and myocardial damage, which caus increased left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP) and increased cardiac return volume, are possible mechanisms(3, 6) (Figure4). Complete recovery from pulmonary hypertension has been reported in the literature within 4-6 weeks(3).The hemodynamics of pediculosis are similar to, but not entirely consistent with, distributed shock, capillary leakage syndrome, and other forms of high-output heart failure. Table3 lists diseases that exhibit hyperdynamic hemodynamic disturbances. These diseases can also present concurrently with Shoshin beriberi, thereby complicating the diagnosis(6). In addition, conditions such as infections can predispose individuals to an increased demand for thiamine, leading to the rapid progression to Shoshine beriberi in patients with an existing thiamine deficiency that has not yet manifested clinically(3).Thiamine deficiency can be caused by a variety of factors, such as alcohol abuse, disease-related malnutrition, bariatric surgery, medications (e.g., omeprazole, metformin, furosemide, and thiazide diuretics), and refined foods(2, 7). However, patients with calorie-rich but nutritionally poor diets may not appear emaciated, thereby misleading clinicians(4). Furosemide exacerbates the risk of thiamine deficiency by increasing renal excretion of thiamine(5, 8). patients with social withdrawal syndrome, also known as hikikomori syndrome, may present a new population at risk of thiamine deficiency(9). Hikikomori syndrome was first identified in Japan and is now becoming a worldwide problem(9).The patient we reported was unmarried and childless, lived alone for a long time, and seldom interacted with friends, which was consistent with the features of social withdrawal syndrome. Although he denied being a partial eater and claimed to never drink alcohol, further questioning of his dietary history revealed that he preferred monotonous or restrictive diets, such as instant noodles, which could be the cause of his thiamine deficiency. Subsequent furosemide treatment promotes thiamine loss through the kidneys, further exacerbating this deficiency. A history of thiamine deficiency is one of the most important criteria for diagnosing hoshin beriberi. Clinicians should be aware of the potential risk of thiamine deficiency associated with hikikomori syndrome and should initiate thiamine replacement in cases of high-output heart failure associated with lactic acidosis(9).Currently, some scholars have reported cases of thiamine deficiency leading to Shoshin beriberi, similar to the case we reported(4, 10-14). The main clinical manifestation was intractable shock requiring high doses of vasoconstrictors, with most cases presenting as high cardiac output shock. However, a few patients experienced sharp hemodynamic deterioration after low cardiac output, even requiring ECMO support(4, 15, 16). The reported cases showed rapid improvement in circulation after thiamine supplementation, indicating that the condition can still be reversed with timely diagnosis, aggressive circulatory support, and thiamine supplementation.The blood test for thiamine levels is still the gold standard for diagnosing thiamine deficiency, but it has some limitations. Plasma thiamine levels are strongly influenced by recent caloric intake, and less than 1% of total body thiamine is found in whole blood, so a low level may not always be a sensitive indicator of true deficiency(4). In addition, it usually takes several days to obtain the results of laboratory assessment of blood thiamine levels. Some authors recommend obtaining thiamine levels prior to thiamine supplementation and not delaying treatment, i.e., starting thiamine administration immediately after blood is collected for analysis. This approach also implies diagnostic treatment(16).There is no recommended thiamine regimen for the treatment of Shoshin beriberi, which is primarily empirical and can vary depending on the severity of presentation(4). Studies have shown that the median maximum and initial doses of thiamine in patients with Shoshin beriberi are 200 mg/day (IQR, 100-500) and 100 mg/day (IQR, 60-300), respectively(1). Previous reports indicate that thiamine doses of 100-200 mg/day usually improve the symptoms of Shoshin beriberi(15, 16). It has also been reported that a loading dose of 100 to 500 mg of thiamine, followed by 25 to 100 mg/day orally for a course of 6 to 7 weeks, is effective(4). The patient we reported was initially given 300 mg of vitamin B1 intravenously daily for 3 days and then switched to 300 mg orally for 1 week of supplementation. The results of the treatment also indicate the effectiveness of this regimen.Targeted therapies aimed at improving mitochondrial function, termed “metabolic resuscitation,” have gained attention in recent years(17). In 2017, a retrospective study reported for the first time that the use of a combination “metabolic resuscitation cocktail” consisting of thiamine, ascorbic acid, and hydrocortisone resulted in favorable outcomes for patients with sepsis. Subsequently, related randomized controlled studies were conducted worldwide(18-24). Further meta-analyses found that the metabolic resuscitation cocktail improved organ failure recovery and decreased vasopressor duration(17). The physiological function of thiamine may explain this potential effect. Thiamine is a vitamin that serves as a cofactor for enzymes involved in the tricarboxylic acid cycle; therefore, a deficiency of thiamine results in decreased activity of thiamine-dependent enzymes, which leads to energy compromise, decreased ATP production, and increased ROS generation(17, 25). There is synergy between thiamine, ascorbic acid, and hydrocortisone(17). The hypermetabolic state of critically ill patients predisposes them to thiamine deficiency. Thiamine deficiency is frequently observed in critically ill patients and is associated with increased mortality(17). Although the current findings on metabolic resuscitation cannot prove that the improvement of organ function in critically ill patients is entirely attributable to thiamine supplementation, metabolic resuscitation, including thiamine, is still worthy of further attempts and research.6.CONCLUSIONThe case underscores the need to expand our vigilance for Shoshin beriberi to other populations that present with increased cardiac output, decreased peripheral vascular resistance, and elevated lactate levels. It also highlights the importance of obtaining a detailed history, even in patients without a clear history of drinking habits or drug use. Additionally, patients with social withdrawal syndrome should be considered for Shoshin beriberi when they exhibit the hemodynamic states described above. Of course, we must first rule out sepsis, poisoning, and other potential causes. Laboratory testing of vitamin B1 levels can help clarify the diagnosis. Shoshin beriberi progresses rapidly and has a high mortality rate, which can be reversed by early diagnosis and thiamine treatment. There are no agreed-upon standard therapeutic dose recommendations. It is also worth mentioning that vitamin B1, as part of metabolic resuscitation, deserves further research.TAKE-HOME MESSAGE1. Thiamine deficiency can lead to Shoshin beriberi;2. Shoshin beriberi is primarily characterized by refractory shock with high cardiac output;3. Shoshin beriberi has a high mortality rate, but it can still be reversed;4. People with social withdrawal syndrome are at high risk of Shoshin beriberi;5. Metabolic resuscitation still deserves application and further research.AUTHOR CONTRIBUTIONSYunyan Jing: Conceptualisation (lead), Methodology (supporting), Validation (equal), Writing - Original Draft (lead).Leqing Lin: Conceptualisation (supporting), Investigation (lead), Formal Analysis (lead), Data Curation (equal), Writing - Review & Editing (equal).Bin Ni: Writing - Review & Editing (equal).Hui Wang, Ju Lin and Linan Zhang: Resources (lead), Supervision (supporting).CONFLICT OF INTEREST STATEMENTThe author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and publication of this article.DATA AVAILABILITY STATEMENTAll raw data and code are available upon request.FUNDING INFORMATIONThis work was supported by Medical Science and Technology Project of Zhejiang Province[Grant Nos. 2025KY142].ETHICS STATEMENTThe authors take responsibility for all aspects of the work and ensure that issues related to the accuracy or completeness of any part of the work are properly investigated and resolved. 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