Sudden Death in a Patient on a Liquid Protein Diet

Abstract

SUDDEN death in adults without serious underlying heart disease has emerged as a major complication of the liquid protein diets.^{1 , 2} Fifteen such cases have been reported to the Center for Disease Control and the Food and Drug Administration since July 1, 1977. This communication describes the course of one of these patients who was admitted to the Upstate Medical Center with intractable ventricular arrhythmias. The findings on post-mortem examination of the heart, skeletal muscle and liver are compatible with starvation.Case ReportA 38-year-old woman was admitted to Crouse-Irving Memorial Hospital on October 22, 1977, complaining of syncopal episodes. In . . .