Cardiovascular complications of cocaine: imaging findings

Emerg Radiol. 2009 Jan;16(1):11-9. doi: 10.1007/s10140-008-0762-x. Epub 2008 Sep 5.

Abstract

Cocaine is the second most commonly abused illicit drug in the US and the most common one involved in emergency department visits, the majority of which are related to the cardiovascular system. Cardiovascular complications related with cocaine abuse include myocardial ischemia and infarction, myocarditis, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, dilated cardiomyopathy, aortic dissection, thrombosis, stroke and cerebral hemorrhage, and different forms of visceral ischemia, among others. In an era where cocaine use has reached epidemic proportions, it is necessary for the radiologist to understand the pathophysiology, clinical presentation, and imaging characteristics of its cardiovascular complications.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aortic Aneurysm / chemically induced
  • Aortic Aneurysm / diagnostic imaging
  • Aortic Dissection / chemically induced
  • Aortic Dissection / diagnostic imaging
  • Cardiomyopathies / chemically induced
  • Cardiomyopathies / diagnostic imaging
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / chemically induced*
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / diagnostic imaging
  • Cocaine-Related Disorders / complications*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Myocardial Ischemia / chemically induced
  • Myocardial Ischemia / diagnostic imaging
  • Myocarditis / chemically induced
  • Myocarditis / diagnostic imaging
  • Radiography