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[Electrocardiographic abnormalities in cocaine base paste consumers of the metropolitan area]
X Aguilera1, A Arribada, W Apt
1Departamentos de Parasitología y de Salud Pública, Facultad de Medicina Campus Sur, Universidad de Chile, Santiago de Chile.
Background:
The adverse effects of cocaine use mainly occur in the heart and central nervous system.
Aim:
To study the effects of cocaine base paste consumption on the cardiovascular system.
Subjects And Methods:
Thirty five chronic cocaine base paste consumers, 26 male, aged 15 to 43 years old, were studied. A clinical assessment and a resting EKG were performed. Results were compared with those of 82 healthy controls.
Results:
Sixty percent of cocaine consumers had EKG abnormalities, compared with 43% of controls. Forty one percent of cocaine users and 33% of controls had a prolonged QTc. Likewise, 36% of cocaine users and 46% of controls had an incomplete right bundle branch block. Among cocaine users, an active nodal rhythm, an ischemic and a QS anteroseptal image were observed.
Conclusions:
A slightly higher frequency of EKG abnormalities were observed in chronic cocaine users, when compared with healthy controls.