Drug abuse and ACS in the very young (less than 30 years): Demographic, clinical and angiographic profile

To identify incidence, type of drug abuse study clinical and angiographic profile in very young population presenting with acute coronary syndrome (ACS).

All consecutive patients less than 30 years with ACS included and segregated into Group 1 and 2 (with and without drug abuse respectively) RESULT: n = 153; n = 17 in group 1 of whom 35.29 % consumed opium, 17.64 % energy drinks, 17.64 % whey protein supplements, 17.64 % inhaled marijuana, 5.88 % heroin and spasmoproxyvon and 23.52 % multi-substance abusers. STEMI, Single vessel disease and urban domicile were predominant. Rising trends of drug abuse were identified in prospective (28.20 %) versus retrospective (5.30 %) timeframe (p = 0.011).

Rising trends of drug abuse, a potentially modifiable risk factor of ACS in the young are alarming. Strict regulations are needed to curb this menace.