title: Cardiovascular complications of cocaine.
abstract: Cocaine use is escalating in the United States. Cocaine produces sympathomimetic effects and causes generalized vasoconstriction involving multiple organ systems. Its cardiovascular complications may be life-threatening and include myocardial infarction, myocarditis, cardiomyopathy, arrhythmias, and aortic dissection. Accurate diagnosis and prompt management can be life-saving. This review focuses on the current information available on the cardiovascular complications of cocaine and suggests guidelines regarding their management strategies.
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiology, Medical College of Virginia, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond 23298.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Om
mesh_terms: D001161:Arteriosclerosis / Q000139:chemically induced; D006332:Cardiomegaly / Q000139:chemically induced; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced*; D002319:Cardiovascular System / Q000187:drug effects*; D003042:Cocaine / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000633:toxicity*; D004696:Endocarditis / Q000139:chemically induced; D006801:Humans; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000139:chemically induced; D009205:Myocarditis / Q000139:chemically induced; D012307:Risk Factors; D013927:Thrombosis / Q000139:chemically induced; D014661:Vasoconstriction / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D003042:Cocaine