Myocardial Infarction Triggered by Marijuana Use

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Toxicology
• Vascular Medicine

Background:

• Chronic marijuana use is increasingly associated with cardiovascular events.
• Acute myocardial infarction (MI) in young adults without traditional risk factors is uncommon.
• Understanding the cardiovascular impact of marijuana in younger populations is crucial.

Observation:

• A 24-year-old male with a 9-year history of daily marijuana use presented with acute chest pain.
• Emergency evaluation diagnosed an anterior ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI).
• Coronary angiography revealed 100% proximal left anterior descending artery occlusion.

Findings:

• The patient underwent successful percutaneous coronary intervention.
• Intravascular ultrasound identified isolated plaque rupture.
• The coronary tree was otherwise normal, with no evidence of traditional atherosclerosis.

Implications:

• This case suggests marijuana use may precipitate acute coronary events in young adults.
• Findings support a potential role for cannabis in triggering MI, even without conventional risk factors.
• Further research is warranted to elucidate the mechanisms linking marijuana use to coronary plaque rupture.