title: Cannabis-associated arterial disease.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of this study was to describe the different arterial complications reported in cannabis smokers.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study was a literature review.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Cannabis use was found to be associated with stroke, myocardial infarction, and lower limb arteritis. Arterial disease involved especially young men. There was a very strong temporal link between arterial complications and cannabis use for stroke and myocardial infarction episodes. Patient outcome was closely correlated with cannabis withdrawal and relapses associated with cannabis rechallenge. Cannabis use was associated with particular characteristics of arterial disease. The increased risk of myocardial infarction onset occurred within 1 hour of smoking marijuana compared with periods of non-use. Strokes occurred mainly in the posterior cerebral circulation. Compared with cohorts of thromboangiitis obliterans patients, those with cannabis-associated limb arteritis were younger, more often male, and had more frequent unilateral involvement of the lower limbs at clinical presentation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Cannabis use is associated with arterial disease such as stroke, myocardial infarction, and limbs arteritis. It appears essential to investigate cannabis use in young patients presenting with such arterial manifestations, as outcome is closely correlated with cannabis withdrawal.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, AP HP Goupe hospitalier Pitié-Salpêtrière, F-75013, Paris, France.
authors.forename: Anne Claire
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Desbois
authors.forename: Patrice
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Cacoub
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D001167:Arteritis / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D035002:Lower Extremity / Q000098:blood supply*; D008297:Male; D002189:Marijuana Abuse / Q000150:complications* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D008385:Marijuana Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000517:prevention & control; D008875:Middle Aged; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000209:etiology*; D011379:Prognosis; D012008:Recurrence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D020521:Stroke / Q000209:etiology*; D013997:Time Factors; D055815:Young Adult