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[Reversible coronary artery spasms associated with cocaine use]
M Hordijk-Trion1, L E de Laat, I Stoel
1Albert Schweitzer Ziekenhuis, locatie Amstelwijck, afd. Cardiologie, Postbus 444, 3000 AK Dordrecht.
Nederlands Tijdschrift Voor Geneeskunde
|October 9, 2002
Summary
Cocaine use can cause coronary artery spasms and increase heart attack risk in young adults. Medical professionals should consider cocaine as a cardiovascular risk factor in patients with chest pain.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Toxicology
Background:
- Cocaine use is increasing globally.
- Cardiovascular complications associated with cocaine have a multifactorial pathogenesis.
Observation:
- A 32-year-old man experienced coronary artery spasms after cocaine use, despite having no significant coronary stenoses.
- Symptoms included chest pain and electrocardiographic changes, diagnosed via heart catheterization.
Findings:
- Cocaine use elevates the risk of myocardial infarction by 6.9 times in young adults.
- The observed coronary artery spasms were reversible.
Implications:
- Calcium antagonists may be a treatment option for cocaine-induced coronary artery spasms.
- Clinicians must consider cocaine as a potential cardiovascular risk factor in patients presenting with chest pain.