Methamphetamine and cardiac disease

Abstract

The metamphetamine is a synthetic stimulant drug that is also known as: methylamphetamine, ‘ice’, ‘crystal meth’ etc. The metamphetamine can be smoked, directly inhaled, taken orally or injected. Effects after oral intake are evident within 30 to 40 minutes while when injected they begin immediately. These effects last between 4 to 8 hours and the emotional changes vary widely – from euphoria to anger or paranoia (1). The most common cause of death associated with metamphetamine use is overdose, followed by cardiovascular diseases that are a result of vasoconstriction, atherosclerotic plaques formation, arrhythmias, cardiomyopathies and pulmonary hypertension due to a prolonged abuse of the drug (2).

In the following clinical case we present a 29-year-old male, admitted twice to the cardiology department - once with symptoms of congestive heart failure and a second time - with acute coronary syndrome. The patient confessed having a history of metamphetamine abuse for 9 consecutive years.