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Published on: April 25, 2014
Cocaine-associated myocardial infarction. Mortality and complications. Cocaine-Associated Myocardial Infarction Study
J E Hollander1, R S Hoffman, J L Burstein
1Department of Emergency Medicine, University Medical Center, Stony Brook, NY, USA.
Insights
Cocaine-associated myocardial infarction has low in-hospital mortality. Most cardiovascular complications occur within 12 hours of presentation in affected patients.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Toxicology
- Public Health
Background:
- The frequency of complications in patients with cocaine-associated myocardial infarction (CAMI) is not well-established.
- Understanding short-term morbidity and mortality is crucial for managing CAMI.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the short-term morbidity and mortality associated with cocaine-associated myocardial infarction.
- To identify the incidence and timing of major cardiovascular complications in CAMI patients.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective cohort study across 29 US hospital centers.
- Identified 130 patients with CAMI between 1987 and 1993.
- Assessed in-hospital mortality and cardiovascular complication rates.
Main Results:
- CAMI patients were young (mean age 38), predominantly nonwhite (72%), and smokers (91%).
- 36% of patients experienced complications, including heart failure, ventricular tachycardia, and brady-dysrhythmias.
- Acute in-hospital mortality was 0%; 90% of complications occurred within 12 hours.
Conclusions:
- Hospitalized patients with CAMI exhibit low mortality rates.
- The majority of cardiovascular complications in CAMI manifest within 12 hours of presentation.
Background:
The frequency of complications in patients with cocaine-associated myocardial infarction is unknown. This study was performed to determine the short-term morbidity and mortality secondary to cocaine-associated myocardial infarction.
Methods:
We performed a retrospective cohort study at 29 hospital centers throughout the United States. Patients with cocaine-associated myocardial infarction that occurred between 1987 and 1993 were identified through record review. The primary outcome measures were in-hospital mortality and the incidence and timing of major cardiovascular complications.
Results:
Cocaine-associated myocardial infarction was identified 136 times in 130 patients. Patients were generally young (mean age, 38 years), nonwhite (72%), tobacco smokers (91%) with a history of cocaine use in the past 24 hours (88%). The initial electrocardiogram disclosed infarction in 44% and ischemia in an additional 18% of patients. Myocardial infarctions were evenly distributed between anterior (45%) and inferior (44%) and were most often non-Q-wave (61%). Complications occurred 64 times in 49 patients (36%; 95% confidence interval, 28% to 44%), including congestive heart failure in nine patients, ventricular tachycardia in 23 patients, supraventricular tachycardia in six patients, and brady-dysrhythmias in 26 patients. Most patients who had complications (90%) had them within 12 hours of presentation. Acute in-hospital mortality was 0% (95% confidence interval, 0% to 2%).
Conclusions:
The mortality of patients hospitalized with cocaine-associated myocardial infarction was low. The majority of complications occurred within 12 hours of presentation.
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