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Brugada pattern electrocardiogram unmasked with cocaine ingestion
M Chadi Alraies1, Mohammed A R Chamsi-Pasha2, Motaz Baibars3
1Department of Hospital Medicine, Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine of Case Western Reserve University, 9500 Euclid Avenue, Mail Code A13, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA.
Case Reports in Cardiology
|May 15, 2014
Summary
Massive cocaine ingestion can cause seizures and cardiac arrest. This case highlights survival after cardiac arrest with a transient Brugada pattern, improving understanding of cocaine toxicity.
Area of Science:
- Toxicology
- Cardiology
- Emergency Medicine
Background:
- Cocaine is a leading cause of drug-related deaths, often sudden and without warning.
- Acute cocaine overdose is linked to severe central nervous system and cardiovascular events, including myocardial infarction.
- The precise mechanisms underlying cocaine-related fatalities are not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report a unique case of survival following massive cocaine ingestion.
- To describe the clinical presentation, including psychomotor agitation, seizures, and cardiac arrest.
- To document the transient Brugada pattern observed on electrocardiogram (ECG) in this survivor.
Main Methods:
- Case report of a patient with massive cocaine ingestion.
- Clinical observation of patient's presentation and management.
- Electrocardiogram (ECG) monitoring to assess cardiac activity.
Main Results:
- The patient survived massive cocaine ingestion complicated by psychomotor agitation and generalized seizures.
- The patient experienced asystolic cardiac arrest.
- A transient Brugada pattern was observed on ECG following resuscitation.
Conclusions:
- Survival is possible even after massive cocaine ingestion leading to cardiac arrest.
- The transient Brugada pattern may be a manifestation of acute cocaine toxicity.
- This case contributes to understanding the complex cardiovascular effects of cocaine.