Congestive Cardiomyopathy and Haemochromatosis- Rapid Progression Possibly Accelerated by Excessive Ingestion of Ascorbic Acid

Abstract

We describe rapidly fatal cardiomyopathy in a young man. He had for twelve months ingested large amounts of ascorbic acid and was admitted with severe heart failure having been symptomatic for two months. He died after eight days. Idiopathic haemochromatosis was diagnosed at autopsy. The clinical and laboratory features are discussed and the possible implications of ascorbic acid ingestion are explored.