Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Cardiac Arrhythmias in Drug Abuse and Intoxication

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
The Arrhythmic Patient in the Emergency Department

  • 1621 Accesses

Abstract

Cardiac arrhythmias are common in acute intoxication, although epidemiological data are often restricted to specific substances. A 10 % incidence of cardiac arrhythmias during acute intoxication has been reported by a referral poison center in Germany that analyzed the data of 91,285 patients referred between 1995 and 2003 using the inquiries of physicians and paramedics [1].

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 74.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 99.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 99.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  1. Von Mach AA, Brinkmann X, Weilemann LS. Epidemiology of cardiac dysrhythmias in acute intoxication. Z Kardiol. 2004;93 Suppl 4:IV9–15.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. European drug report 2014: trends and developments. http://www.emcdda.europa.eu.

  3. Kesha K, Boggs CL, Ripple MG. Methylenedioxypyrovalerone (bath salts) related death: case report and review of the literature. J Forensic Sci. 2013;58(6):1654–9.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. WADA list 2015, yearly updated www.wada-ama.org.

  5. Tokish JM, Kocher MS, Hawkins RJ. Ergogenic aids: a review of basic science, performance, side effects, and status in sports. Am J Sports Med. 2004;32:1543–53.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Dhar R, Stout W, Link SM, Homoud MK, Weinstock J, Estes III M. Cardiovascular toxicities of performance-enhancing substances in sports. Mayo Clin Proc. 2005;80:1307–15.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Kutscher EC, Lund BC, Perry PJ. Anabolic steroids: a review for the clinician. Sports Med. 2002;32:285–96.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Gauthier J. The heart and doping. Arch Mal Coeur Vaiss. 2006;99:1126–9.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Calfee R, Fadale P. Popular ergogenic drugs and supplements in young athletes. Pediatrics. 2006;117:577–89.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. Bouchard R, Weber AR, Geiger JD. Informed decision-making on sympathomimetic use in sport and health. Clin J Sport Med. 2002;12:209–24.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Gray SD, Fatovich DM, McCoubrie DL, Daly FF. Amphetamine-related presentations to an inner-city tertiary emergency department: a prospective evaluation. Med J Aust. 2007;186:336–9.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Krome CN, Tucker AM. Cardiac arrhythmia in a professional football player. Was ephedrine to blame? Phys Sports Med. 2003;31:1–12.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. Gee P, Richardson S, Woltersdorf W, Moore G. Toxic effects of BZP-based herbal party pills in humans: a prospective study in Christchurch, New Zealand. NZ Med J. 2005;18:1227–37.

    Google Scholar 

  14. Hall AP, Henry JA. Acute toxic effects of “Ecstasy” (MDMA and related compounds: overview of pathophysiology and clinical management. Br J Anaesth. 2006;96:678–85.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. Ricaurte GA, McCann UD. Recognition and management of complications of new recreational drug use. Lancet. 2005;365:2137–45.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. Haller CA, Benowitz NL. Adverse cardiovascular and central nervous system events associated with dietary supplements containing ephedra alkaloids. N Engl J Med. 2000;343:1833–8.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. Zahn KA, Li RL, Purssell RA. Cardiovascular toxicity after ingestion of ‘herbal ecstasy’. J Emerg Med. 1999;17:289–91.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  18. Furlanello F, Vitali Serdoz L, Cappato R, De Ambroggi L. Illicit drugs and cardiac arrhythmias in athletes. Eur J Cardiovasc Prev Rehabil. 2007;14:487–94.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  19. Hunterdon Drug Awareness Program (HDAP). Comprehensive drug information on “bath salts” (MDPV, Mephedrone). Flemington: HDAP. Updated 29 June 2012; http://www.hdap.org/mdpv.html.

  20. Benzie F, Hekman K, Cameron L, Wade DR, Miller C, Smolinske S, et al. Emergency department visits after use of a drug sold as “bath salts”–Michigan, November 13, 2010-March 31, 2011. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2011;19:624–47.

    Google Scholar 

  21. Billman GE. Cocaine: a review of its toxic actions on cardiac function. Crit Rev Toxicol. 1995;25:113–32.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  22. Karch SB. Cocaine cardiovascular toxicity. South Med J. 2005;98:794–9.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  23. Kloner RA, Hale S, Alker K, Rezkalla S. The effects of acute and chronic cocaine use on the heart. Circulation. 1992;85:407–19.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  24. Hale SL, Lehmann MH, Kloner RA. Electrocardiographic abnormalities after acute administration of cocaine in the rat. Am J Cardiol. 1989;63:1529–30.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  25. Taylor D, Paroish D, Thompson K, Cavaliere M. Cocaine induced prolongation of the QT interval. Emerg Med J. 2004;21:252–3.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  26. Magnano AR, Talathoti NB, Hallur R, Jurus DT, Dizon J, Holleran S, et al. Effect of Acute Cocaine Administration on the QTc Interval of Habitual Users. Am J Cardiol. 2006;97:1244–6.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  27. Fuller TE, Milling TJ, Price B, Spangle K. Therapeutic hypothermia in cocaine-induced cardiac arrest. Ann Emerg Med. 2008;51:135–7.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  28. Hollander JE, Hoffman RS. Cocaine-induced myocardial infarction: an analysis and review of the literature. J Emerg Med. 1992;10:169–77.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  29. Turhan H, Aksoy Y, Ozgun Tekin G, Yetkin E. Cocaine-induced acute myocardial infarction in young individuals with otherwise normal coronary risk profile: is coronary microvascular dysfunction one of the underlying mechanisms? Int J Cardiol. 2007;114:106–7.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  30. Mittleman MA, Mintzer D, Maclure M, Togler GH, Sherwood JB, Muller JE. Triggering of myocardial infarction by cocaine. Circulation. 1999;99:2737–41.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  31. Guo J, Gang H, Zhang S. Molecular determinants of cocaine block of human ether-a-go-go-related gene potassium channels. J Pharmacol Exp Ther. 2006;317:865–74.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  32. Parker RB, Perry GY, Horan LG, Flowers NC. Comparative effects of sodium bicarbonate and sodium chloride on reversing cocaine-induced changes in the electrocardiogram. J Cardiovasc Pharmacol. 1999;34:864–9.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  33. Littmann L, Monroe MH, Svenson RH. Brugada-type electrocardiographic pattern induced by cocaine. Mayo Clin Proc. 2000;75:845–9.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  34. Randall T. Cocaine, alcohol mix in body to form even longer lasting, more lethal drug. JAMA. 1992;267:1043–4.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  35. Lindsay AC, Foale RA, Warren O, Henry JA. Cannabis as a precipitant of cardiovascular emergencies. Int J Cardiol. 2005;104:230–2.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  36. Fisher BA, Ghuran A, Vadamalai V, Antonios TF. Cardiovascular complications induced by cannabis smoking: a case report and review of the literature. Emerg Med J. 2005;22:679–80.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  37. Aryana A, Williams MA. Marijuana as a trigger of cardiovascular events: speculation or scientific certainty? Int J Cardiol. 2007;118:141–4.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  38. Pita-Fernandez S, Lombardia-Cortina M, Orozco-Veltran D, Gil-Guillen V. Clinical manifestations of elderly patients with digitalis intoxication in the emergency department. Arch Geron Geriat. 2011;53:e106–10.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  39. Davis JA, Ravishanktar C, Shah MJ. Multiple cardiac arrhythmias in a previously healthy child: a case of accidental digitalis intoxication. Pediatr Emerg Care. 2006;22(6):430–4.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  40. Goranitou G, Stavrianaki D, Babalis D. Wide QRS tachycardia caused by severe hyperkalaemia and digoxin intoxication. Acta Cardiol. 2005;60(4):437–41.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  41. Deret RW, Horowitz BZ. Cardiotoxic drugs. Emerg Med Clin North Am. 1995;13:771–91.

    Google Scholar 

  42. Shader RI, Greenblatt DJ. Use of benzodiazepines in anxiety disorders. N Engl J Med. 1993;328(19):1398–405.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  43. Mann JJ. The medical management of depression. N Engl J Med. 2005;353(17):1819–34.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  44. Shader RI, Greenblatt DJ. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor antidepressants: cardiovascular complications-sorting through findings. J Clin Psychopharmacol. 2001;21(5):467–8.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  45. Warrington SJ, Padgham C, Lader M. The cardiovascular effects of antidepressants. Psychol Med Monogr Suppl. 1989;16:i–iii, 1–40.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  46. Yamada M, Yasuhara H. Clinical pharmacology of MAO inhibitors: safety and future. Neurotoxicology. 2004;25(1–2):215–21. Review.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  47. Goldman LS, Alexander RC, Luchins DJ. Monoamine oxidase inhibitors and tricyclic antidepressants: comparison of their cardiovascular effects. J Clin Psychiatry. 1986;47(5):225–9.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  48. Murray JB. Cardiac disorders and antidepressant medications. J Psychol. 2000;134(2):162–8. Review.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  49. Periti P, Mazzei T, Mini E, Novelli A. Adverse effects of macrolide antibacterials. Drug Saf. 1993;9(5):346–64.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Klinikum Fürth, Clinic for Heart and Lung Disease, Electrophysiology Section, Fürth, Germany

    Laura Vitali-Serdoz

  2. Humanitas Research Hospital, Rozzano Milano Gavazzeni Bergamo Cardiac Arrhythmias and Electrophysiology II, Villa Bianca Hospital, Trento, Italy

    Francesco Furlanello

  3. Cardiovascular Department, Ospedali Riuniti and University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy

    Ilaria Puggia

Authors
  1. Laura Vitali-Serdoz
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Francesco Furlanello
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Ilaria Puggia
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Laura Vitali-Serdoz .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Cardiovascular Department, Cattinara University Hospital, Trieste, Italy

    Massimo Zecchin

  2. Cardiovascular Department, Cattinara University Hospital Cardiovascular Department, Trieste, Italy

    Gianfranco Sinagra

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2016 Springer International Publishing Switzerland

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Vitali-Serdoz, L., Furlanello, F., Puggia, I. (2016). Cardiac Arrhythmias in Drug Abuse and Intoxication. In: Zecchin, M., Sinagra, G. (eds) The Arrhythmic Patient in the Emergency Department. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-24328-3_10

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-24328-3_10

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-24326-9

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-24328-3

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation