Cannabis and cocaine: a lethal cocktail triggering coronary sudden death

Cardiovasc Pathol. 2008 Sep-Oct;17(5):344-6. doi: 10.1016/j.carpath.2007.05.005. Epub 2007 Jul 5.

Abstract

The case of a 31-year-old man who died suddenly, with a history of drug abuse and no risk factors for coronary artery disease, is herein reported. Postmortem examination disclosed critical stenosis due to a fibrocellular atherosclerotic plaque complicated by occlusive thrombosis at the level of the left anterior descending coronary artery. Chemico-toxicological analysis revealed high levels of cocaine, tetrahydrocannabinol, and metabolites. When dealing with an acute coronary syndrome in young people, with or without a history of drug abuse, toxicological examination should always be performed to rule out unnatural causes of myocardial ischemia.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Cannabis / adverse effects*
  • Cocaine / adverse effects*
  • Coronary Artery Disease / complications
  • Coronary Stenosis / etiology
  • Death, Sudden, Cardiac / etiology*
  • Dopamine Uptake Inhibitors / adverse effects*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Substance-Related Disorders / physiopathology*

Substances

  • Dopamine Uptake Inhibitors
  • Cocaine