title: Effect of acute cocaine administration on the QTc interval of habitual users.
abstract: The proarrhythmic effects of cocaine may be mediated in part by its effects on cardiac repolarization properties. This study evaluated the acute effects of smoking cocaine 25 mg on the electrocardiograms of 14 habitual cocaine users during a 12-minute observation period. After cocaine administration, heart rate increased by a mean of 22 beats/min (p <0.0001). One patient developed accelerated junctional rhythm, and 5 had nonspecific ST-T-wave abnormalities. The electrocardiograms revealed significant prolongation of the QTc interval (p <0.001) after cocaine administration. In addition, T-wave amplitude decreased and U-wave amplitude increased in response to cocaine use (p <0.05). QRS duration was unchanged by cocaine, whereas the PR interval shortened slightly. The repolarization changes observed after cocaine use were similar to those reported for other sympathomimetic agents and may be a contributing factor in the association between cocaine use and ventricular arrhythmias.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons, New York, New York, USA. arm6@columbia.edu
authors.forename: Anthony R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Magnano
authors.forename: Naresh B
authors.initials: NB
authors.lastname: Talathoti
authors.forename: Ravindra
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Hallur
authors.forename: Derek T
authors.initials: DT
authors.lastname: Jurus
authors.forename: Jose
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Dizon
authors.forename: Steve
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Holleran
authors.forename: Daniel M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Bloomfield
authors.forename: Eric
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Collins
authors.forename: Hasan
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Garan
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001283:Atrioventricular Node / Q000187:drug effects / Q000503:physiopathology; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D003042:Cocaine / Q000009:adverse effects*; D019970:Cocaine-Related Disorders / Q000503:physiopathology*; D018765:Dopamine Uptake Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004562:Electrocardiography; D005260:Female; D006329:Heart Conduction System / Q000187:drug effects / Q000503:physiopathology; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male
chemical_list: D018765:Dopamine Uptake Inhibitors; D003042:Cocaine