Vitamin C Deficiency-Induced Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension

Chest. 2020 Feb;157(2):e21-e23. doi: 10.1016/j.chest.2019.06.043.

Abstract

We report a case of a man in his 60s who developed pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) in association with profound vitamin C deficiency. Decreased availability of endothelial nitric oxide and activation of the hypoxia-inducible family of transcription factors, both consequences of vitamin C deficiency, are believed to be mechanisms contributing to the pathogenesis of the pulmonary hypertension. The PAH resolved following vitamin C supplementation. The current case highlights the importance of testing for vitamin C deficiency in patients with PAH in the proper clinical setting.

Keywords: case report; pulmonary arterial hypertension; respiratory failure.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Video-Audio Media

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Anemia / etiology
  • Arthralgia / etiology
  • Ascorbic Acid / therapeutic use
  • Ascorbic Acid Deficiency / complications*
  • Ascorbic Acid Deficiency / drug therapy
  • Ascorbic Acid Deficiency / metabolism
  • Cardiac Catheterization
  • Echocardiography
  • Endothelium, Vascular / metabolism
  • Exanthema / etiology
  • Humans
  • Hypoxia / metabolism
  • Male
  • Nitric Oxide / metabolism
  • Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension / diagnosis
  • Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension / etiology*
  • Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension / metabolism
  • Transcription Factors / metabolism
  • Vitamins / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Transcription Factors
  • Vitamins
  • Nitric Oxide
  • Ascorbic Acid