Wernicke's encephalopathy after cardiac surgery. (May 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Nishimura, Yoshiyuki
• Is Part Of: Asian cardiovascular & thoracic annals. Volume 26:Number 4(2018)
• Page Start: 302
• Page End: 304
• Publication Date: 2018-05
• Subjects: Cardiopulmonary bypass -- Heart valve prosthesis implantation -- Postoperative complications -- Renal dialysis -- Thiamine deficiency -- Wernicke encephalopathy; Heart -- Diseases -- Asia -- Periodicals; Heart -- Diseases -- Pacific Area -- Periodicals; Heart -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Heart -- Surgery -- Asia -- Periodicals; Heart -- Surgery -- Pacific Area -- Periodicals; Heart -- Surgery -- Periodicals; Chest -- Surgery -- Asia -- Periodicals; Chest -- Surgery -- Pacific Area -- Periodicals; Chest -- Surgery -- Periodicals; 617.412
• DOI: 10.1177/0218492318772693
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0218-4923

Abstract

A 76-year-old woman who had been on hemodialysis for 3 years developed ischemic mitral valve insufficiency, tricuspid insufficiency, and chronic atrial fibrillation, and underwent cardiac surgery. On the 4th postoperative day, she experienced a sudden disturbance of consciousness, aphasia, and limb ataxia. Brain computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging showed no abnormalities. Wernicke's encephalopathy was suspected and the patient was given vitamin B1, whereupon her symptoms gradually improved. On the 42nd postoperative day, she was free of neurological symptoms and discharged.