Recreational cannabis use causing non-ischaemic cardiomyopathy and cardioembolism in a young adult. Issue 6 (1st June 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Singh, Budha O; Panda, Prasan Kumar; Walia, Rohit
• Is Part Of: BMJ case reports. Volume 14:Issue 6(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-06-01
• Subjects: cardiovascular medicine -- heart failure -- venous thromboembolism -- drugs and medicines -- global Health; Medicine -- Case studies -- Periodicals; 610.5
• DOI: 10.1136/bcr-2021-243193
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1757-790X

Abstract

Abstract : Cannabis is one of the most common illicit drugs and has been implicated with various complications which include stroke, acute myocardial infarction, arrhythmia and limb arteritis. We are reporting a case of a young man, who is a recreational cannabis smoker along with tobacco, who developed exertional progressive breathlessness for the last 4 months, mild cough for 2 months and acute left-sided hemiparesis along with ipsilateral facial palsy for 1 day that was attributed to an acute right middle cerebral artery territory infarct. There was also gangrene in his left forearm as a result of left radial artery thrombosis. Non-ischaemic-dilated cardiomyopathy was found in contrast-enhanced cardiac MRI and he was managed in the line of decompensated heart failure; the right-hand gangrene was later amputated in the subsequent follow-ups. Hence, cannabis can lead to cardiomyopathy and resulting cardioembolism. The mainstay of management remains supportive and avoidance of the offending agent. Social education is the need of the hour.