Aortic dissection and cocaine use

J Forensic Leg Med. 2011 Oct;18(7):329-31. doi: 10.1016/j.jflm.2011.06.008. Epub 2011 Jul 12.

Abstract

Most of the cocaine - deaths are said to be related to cardiovascular complications. This paper addresses a rather infrequent complication of chronic cocaine use, represented by the aortic dissection. The case in point pertains to a 45-year-old, caucasian male, substance abuser who suffered an aortic dissection following the use of cocaine. Blood concentrations of cocaine and benzoylecgonine were considered not to be within a potentially toxic range.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aorta / pathology
  • Aortic Aneurysm / etiology
  • Aortic Aneurysm / pathology*
  • Aortic Dissection / etiology
  • Aortic Dissection / pathology*
  • Cocaine / analogs & derivatives
  • Cocaine / blood
  • Cocaine / urine
  • Cocaine-Related Disorders / complications*
  • Forensic Pathology
  • Forensic Toxicology
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Myocardium / pathology
  • Narcotics / blood
  • Narcotics / urine

Substances

  • Narcotics
  • benzoylecgonine
  • Cocaine