The role of thiamine as a resuscitator in patients with nonalcoholic medical and CNS disorders

Abstract

Thiamine (vitamin B1), a water-soluble vitamin, is an essential factor in cellular metabolismand fundamental cofactor in important biochemical cycles. Thiamine deficiency is a wellknowncause of neurological and cardiologic disorders, especially in patients with alcoholdependence. Recently, several researchers have studied the role of thiamine deficiency incritically ill patients and the link between thiamine supplementation and changes in lactatelevels in septic shock patients. The role of thiamine in this group of patients is still unclear;however, thiamine supplementation does not cause toxic side effects or increase morbidityor mortality. In this review, we discuss the most common conditions associated with thiaminedeficiency and the limited literature available on thiamine supplementation in critically illpatients.