Cardiovascular complications of cocaine abuse

Cocaine abuse may lead to serious cardiac complications, including myocardial ischemia and infarction, myocarditis, cardiomyopathy and arrhythmias. With concomitant use of alcohol and cocaine, cocaethylene is produced by hepatic transformation. Cocaethylene is now thought to be primarily responsible for the deaths that occur among cocaine abusers. Treatment of cardiovascular complications focuses on cocaine-induced ischemia, hypertension and arrhythmias. The use of thrombolytic agents in myocardial infarction remains controversial. Concurrent detoxification with bromocriptine and norepinephrine is recommended.