SHM Converge Scientific Abstract ePoster Gallery-A Silver Lining Turned Blue: Heart Failure From Chronic Colloidal Silver Ingestion

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This case report describes a 65-year-old man who drank about 2 ounces of colloidal silver daily for 12 years and later developed progressive shortness of breath, leg swelling, and diffuse blue-gray skin discoloration. Workup showed elevated BNP and a reduced left ventricular ejection fraction of 30% with global hypokinesis, consistent with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction. Coronary angiography showed non-obstructive coronary arteries, suggesting a non-ischemic cause. A skin biopsy confirmed argyria from dermal silver deposition.  <br /><br />The authors note that argyria is a rare, usually permanent condition caused by silver accumulation in the skin and internal organs. Although direct cardiotoxicity from silver is not well established in humans, animal studies suggest silver ions may impair myocardial function through oxidative damage and disruption of calcium channels. In this patient, long-term silver ingestion was considered a likely contributor to cardiomyopathy and heart failure.  <br /><br />Treatment focused on standard heart failure management and stopping exposure to silver. The patient declined laser therapy for the skin discoloration.  <br /><br />The report emphasizes the importance of recognizing the potential harms of unregulated alternative therapies such as colloidal silver. Clinicians should ask about supplement and alternative product use when evaluating unexplained skin discoloration or cardiomyopathy, and educate patients about the risks of evidence-free treatments.

Asset Subtitle

Hetvi Shah

Meta Tag

Author List Alok Arora, Hetvi Shah

Category Clinical Vignettes

Concept Argyria

Concept Exposure Cessation

Concept Silver Accumulation

Concept Colloidal Silver Ingestion

Concept Blue-Gray Skin Discoloration

Distinguished Non-Finalist

Presenter Organization Medical College of Wisconsin Affiliated Hospitals

Presenting Author Hetvi Shah

Track Adult

Keywords

colloidal silver

argyria

heart failure

cardiomyopathy

reduced ejection fraction

nonischemic

skin discoloration

silver toxicity

alternative therapy

coronary angiography

Argyria

Exposure Cessation

Silver Accumulation

Colloidal Silver Ingestion

Blue-Gray Skin Discoloration