Cocaine-associated myocardial and mesenteric ischemia: A case report and review of the literature

Abstract

Despite the increasing incidence of cocaine abuse and its known vasoactive properties, the vascular consequences of cocaine use are incompletely defined. Cocaine-related myocardial ischemia has been described and is thought to occur secondary to vasospasm. Infrequently reported cases of cocaine-related visceral ischemia have been attributed to vasoconstriction. We report here the first described case of serial infarctions in distinct vascular beds, myocardial and mesenteric. The case report and review of the literature support the concept of a diffuse, severe, and potentially lethal vasoconstrictive effect of cocaine.