ascorbic-acid and Pulmonary-Arterial-Hypertension

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.

Topics: Aged; Anemia; Arthralgia; Ascorbic Acid; Ascorbic Acid Deficiency; Cardiac Catheterization; Echocardiography; Endothelium, Vascular; Exanthema; Humans; Hypoxia; Male; Nitric Oxide; Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension; Transcription Factors; Vitamins