title: Prevalence of heart disease in asymptomatic chronic cocaine users.
abstract: To determine the prevalence of heart disease in outpatient young asymptomatic chronic cocaine users, 35 cocaine users and 32 age-matched controls underwent resting and exercise electrocardiography (ECG) and Doppler echocardiography. Findings consistent with coronary artery disease were detected in 12 (34%) patients and 3 (9%) controls (p = 0.01). Decreased left ventricular systolic function was demonstrated in 5 (14%) patients, but in none of the controls (p = 0.055). Finally, resting and peak exercise abnormal left ventricular filling was detected in 38 and 35% of patients as compared to 19 and 9% of controls, respectively (p = 0.11 and 0.02, respectively). We conclude that coronary artery or myocardial disease is common (38%) in young asymptomatic chronic cocaine users. Therefore, screening ECG and echocardiography may be warranted in these patients.
authors.affiliation: Cardiology, Veterans Affairs Medical Center and University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, NM, USA. Carlos.Roldan@med.va.gov
authors.forename: C A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Roldan
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Aliabadi
authors.forename: M H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Crawford
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D009202:Cardiomyopathies / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000209:etiology; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D019970:Cocaine-Related Disorders / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000139:chemically induced; D004452:Echocardiography; D004562:Electrocardiography; D005260:Female; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006334:Heart Function Tests; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D018487:Ventricular Dysfunction, Left / Q000139:chemically induced