Diffuse myocardial calcification in a drug addict, complicating advanced life support

J Pak Med Assoc. 2019 Sep;69(9):1372-1375.

Abstract

Myocardial calcification is a rare echocardiographic finding, which is often found in patients who have suffered from a myocardial infarction. Rarely, myocardial calcification may be present in individuals without a significant medical history. Until today, there has not been a published case report emphasising the relation between myocardial calcification and cocaine usage. Herein, we report a case of a young male with diffuse calcification of the left ventricular myocardium, who had an addiction to cocaine. This case highlights an uncommon etiology for myocardial calcification and it may lead to further studies about cardiotoxic effects of cocaine.

Keywords: Myocardial calcification; Cocaine abuse; Cardiac computed tomography..

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Abdominal Injuries / complications
  • Abdominal Injuries / surgery
  • Adult
  • Advanced Cardiac Life Support
  • Calcinosis / complications
  • Calcinosis / diagnostic imaging*
  • Cardiomyopathies / complications
  • Cardiomyopathies / diagnostic imaging*
  • Cocaine-Related Disorders / complications*
  • Colectomy
  • Crack Cocaine
  • Echocardiography
  • Escherichia coli Infections
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Postoperative Complications / drug therapy
  • Shock, Cardiogenic / drug therapy
  • Shock, Septic / drug therapy
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed
  • Ventricular Dysfunction, Left / diagnostic imaging
  • Ventricular Dysfunction, Left / drug therapy
  • Wounds, Gunshot / complications
  • Wounds, Gunshot / surgery

Substances

  • Crack Cocaine