title: Acute ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction, a Unique Complication of Recreational Nitrous Oxide Use.
abstract: A 28-year-old male was admitted to hospital with an acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction. This was in the context of recreational abuse of nitrous oxide. The prevalence of nitrous oxide use in Australia has not been formally quantified, however it is the second most commonly used recreational drug in the United Kingdom. Nitrous oxide has previously been shown to increase serum homocysteine levels. This patient was discovered to have an elevated homocysteine level at baseline, which was further increased after nitrous oxide consumption. Homocysteine has been linked to endothelial dysfunction and coronary atherosclerosis and this case report highlights one of the dangers of recreational abuse of nitrous oxide.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Prince of Wales Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia; University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia. Electronic address: praveen@unsw.edu.au.
authors.forename: Praveen
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Indraratna
authors.affiliation: University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia; Department of Cardiology, Port Macquarie Base Hospital, Port Macquarie, NSW, Australia.
authors.forename: Chris
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Alexopoulos
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia; The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Celermajer
authors.affiliation: University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia; Department of Cardiology, Port Macquarie Base Hospital, Port Macquarie, NSW, Australia.
authors.forename: Kevin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Alford
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D006710:Homocysteine / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D013287:Illicit Drugs / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D009609:Nitrous Oxide / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000072657:ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction / Q000097:blood / Q000139:chemically induced*
chemical_list: D013287:Illicit Drugs; D006710:Homocysteine; D009609:Nitrous Oxide
keywords: Acute myocardial infarction; Coronary artery disease; Homocysteine; Nitrous oxide