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Cardiovascular complications of cocaine
A Om1
1Division of Cardiology, Medical College of Virginia, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond 23298.
The American Journal of the Medical Sciences
|May 1, 1992
Abstract:
Cocaine use is escalating in the United States. Cocaine produces sympathomimetic effects and causes generalized vasoconstriction involving multiple organ systems. Its cardiovascular complications may be life-threatening and include myocardial infarction, myocarditis, cardiomyopathy, arrhythmias, and aortic dissection. Accurate diagnosis and prompt management can be life-saving. This review focuses on the current information available on the cardiovascular complications of cocaine and suggests guidelines regarding their management strategies.