title: Paradoxical consequence of human chorionic gonadotropin misuse.
abstract: Recombinant human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is commonly misused as a weight reducing or performance enhancing agent but is associated with increased risk of thromboembolic events. A 29-year-old female with a history of obesity was admitted to our center with a diagnosis of ischemic stroke. Etiologic workup revealed a large patent foramen ovale and history of recent use of hCG as part of a weight loss regimen. This report highlights the potential complications of hCG therapy, particularly when used for unapproved indications and without medical supervision.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Mehmet Yasir
authors.initials: MY
authors.lastname: Pektezel
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Demet Funda
authors.initials: DF
authors.lastname: Bas
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Mehmet Akif
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Topcuoglu
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey. Electronic address: arsavaem@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Ethem Murat
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Arsava
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002545:Brain Ischemia / Q000139:chemically induced*; D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D054092:Foramen Ovale, Patent / Q000150:complications; D006801:Humans; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D063487:Prescription Drug Misuse; D020521:Stroke / Q000139:chemically induced*; D015431:Weight Loss / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin
keywords: Human chorionic gonadotropin; ischemic stroke; paradoxical embolism; patent foramen ovale