title: An unusual cause of breathlessness in a young man.
abstract: Amphetamine abuse is a common problem in the developed world. Cardiomyopathy secondary to amphetamine abuse is rare in the general population. The present report describes a 34-year-old man who presented with shortness of breath. Following further investigations, the cause of his breathlessness was determined to be amphetamine abuse. The incidence of amphetamine abuse and its cardiac sequelae are reviewed. The mechanism of amphetamine-induced dilated cardiomyopathy is analyzed, with further review of its complications and treatment.
authors.affiliation: Department f Cardiology, University Hospital Aintree, Liverpool, United Kingdom. antonyleslie@yahoo.co.in
authors.forename: Antony Leslie
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Innasimuthu
authors.forename: Rajiv
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sankarnarayanan
authors.forename: Gopala Krishna B
authors.initials: GK
authors.lastname: Rao
authors.forename: Rob S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Hornung
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D019969:Amphetamine-Related Disorders / Q000150:complications*; D002311:Cardiomyopathy, Dilated / Q000139:chemically induced; D004417:Dyspnea / Q000139:chemically induced*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male