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Updated: May 19, 2026

Permanent Cerebral Vessel Occlusion via Double Ligature and Transection
Published on: July 21, 2013
[Cocaine-induced vascular damage. Report of one case]
Teresa Massardo1, Angela Pino, Isabel Berrocal
1Sección Medicina Nuclear, Hospital Clínico Universidad de Chile, Chile.
Background:
Cocaine abuse is associated with an increased risk of cardiac and cerebrovascular events, such as myocardial infarction, sudden cardiac death, and ischemic stroke. The underlying mechanisms leading to these complications are not fully understood although intravascular thrombus formation and accelerated atherosclerosis are prominent findings. We report a 39-year-old male addicted to cocaine, who presented with three consecutive ischemic events characterized by an acute myocardial infarction and two ischemic strokes complicated by cardiac failure and severe neurological sequelae. The pathophysiology of cocaine-induce vascular damage and the management of the ischemic complications are discussed.
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