The Journal of Emergency Medicine
Volume 29, Issue 2 , Pages 173-178, August 2005

The cardiovascular effects of cocaine

  • Charles N. Pozner, MD

      Affiliations

    • Department of Emergency Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard University, Boston, Massachusetts
    • Corresponding Author InformationReprint Address: Charles N. Pozner, md, Department of Emergency Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, 75 Francis Street, Boston, MA 02115
    • ,
  • Michael Levine, MD

      Affiliations

    • Harvard-Affiliated Emergency Medicine Residency, Brigham and Women’s Hospital/Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
    • ,
  • Richard Zane, MD

      Affiliations

    • Department of Emergency Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard University, Boston, Massachusetts

Received 10 October 2003; received in revised form 25 November 2004; accepted 26 January 2005.

Abstract 

Cocaine use continues to be prevalent among all races and socioeconomic groups in the United States. Patients presenting to emergency departments after cocaine ingestion frequently present with a chief complaint of chest pain. Although acute myocardial infarction is perhaps the most concerning diagnosis in this setting, there are many other potential causes of chest pain after cocaine ingestion. This article reviews the pharmacology of cocaine, as well as the etiologies and treatment of cocaine-associated chest pain, with an emphasis on this drug’s range of cardiovascular effects.

Keywords:  cocaine , myocardial infarction , chest pain , drug , intoxication

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PII: S0736-4679(05)00120-4

doi:10.1016/j.jemermed.2005.01.019

The Journal of Emergency Medicine
Volume 29, Issue 2 , Pages 173-178, August 2005

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