Congestive cardiac failure following laxative withdrawal.

Riley, J A; Brown, A R; Walker, B E · Postgrad Med J · 1996

case_report · Level V

Where this comes from

Abstract

We report the case of a 60-year-old woman who presented with weakness and hypokalaemia due to excessive use of laxatives. When the laxatives were withdrawn, she developed severe congestive cardiac failure requiring treatment with a diuretic and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor. There was no underlying cardiac abnormality, and these drugs were eventually stopped with no recurrence of the cardiac failure. The possible mechanisms of heart failure following laxative withdrawal is discussed.

Medical subject headings