Repeated Thrombosis After Synthetic Cannabinoid Use.
BACKGROUND
Synthetic cannabinoids are swiftly gaining popularity and have earned a reputation of being relatively safer than other illicit drugs. However, there is a growing body of literature associating thromboembolic events with their use.


METHODS
A 32-year-old woman presented on four separate occasions with a new thromboemoblic event after smoking synthetic cannabinoids. She had no medical history, and over the span of 9 months she developed two kidney infarcts, pulmonary emboli, and an ischemic stroke. Each of these events occurred within 24 hours of smoking synthetic cannabinoids. During periods of abstinence, she remained free of thrombotic events. WHY SHOULD AN EMERGENCY PHYSICIAN BE AWARE OF THIS?: This report shows that an association between thrombosis and the use of synthetic cannabinoids is reproducible and involves both venous and arterial thrombosis, suggesting activation of coagulation or inflammatory pathways. As the popularity of this drug continues to grow, we can expect to see a growing number of these cases. Synthetic cannabinoid use should be included in the differential diagnosis of young patients with no risk factors who present with venous or arterial thrombosis.
Department of Internal Medicine, University of Illinois College of Medicine, Urbana, Illinois.
Amer
A
Raheemullah
Department of Internal Medicine, University of Illinois College of Medicine, Urbana, Illinois.
Thomas N
TN
Laurence
D000328:Adult; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001241:Aspirin / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002186:Cannabinoids / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000494:pharmacology; D017984:Enoxaparin / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007238:Infarction / Q000150:complications / Q000209:etiology; D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011247:Pregnancy; D011655:Pulmonary Embolism / Q000150:complications / Q000209:etiology; D012307:Risk Factors; D020521:Stroke / Q000150:complications / Q000209:etiology; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000150:complications*; D013923:Thromboembolism / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods; D014859:Warfarin / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000925:Anticoagulants; D002186:Cannabinoids; D017984:Enoxaparin; D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors; D014859:Warfarin; D001241:Aspirin
infarction; ischemic stroke; kidney thromboembolism; pulmonary embolism; spice; synthetic cannabinoids; thrombosis