[Diagnosis of stroke due to cocaine and its complications]

Rev Neurol. 2013 Aug 16;57(4):167-70.
[Article in Spanish]

Abstract

INTRODUCTION. Cocaine is an independent cerebrovascular risk factor both for ischaemic and haemorrhagic events, above all among persons under 55 years of age. CASE REPORT. A case report of stroke due to the consumption of cocaine is used to review its pathophysiology and the complexity involved in the management and diagnosis of the associated complications. One of these complications reported in relation to the consumption of cocaine is vasospasm. This condition shares findings observed in ultrasound imaging studies with other conditions, such as early-onset post ischaemic hyperperfusion. Yet, there are important differences between the two as regards their treatment and prognosis. CONCLUSIONS. The consumption of cocaine is associated with cerebrovascular disease through a number of different mechanisms, which each give rise to different complications. By identifying these complications, correct management can be implemented.

Title: Diagnostico del ictus por cocaina y sus complicaciones.

Introduccion. La cocaina es un factor de riesgo cerebrovascular independiente, tanto para eventos isquemicos como hemorragicos, sobre todo entre los menores de 55 años. Caso clinico. A traves de un caso clinico de ictus por consumo de cocaina, se revisa su fisiopatologia y la complejidad en el manejo y diagnostico de las complicaciones asociadas. Una de estas complicaciones descritas en relacion con el consumo de cocaina es el vasoespasmo. Esta entidad comparte con otras entidades, como la hiperperfusion postisquemica precoz, los hallazgos en estudios ecograficos. Sin embargo, ambas presentan importantes diferencias en cuanto a tratamiento y pronostico se refiere. Conclusiones. El consumo de cocaina se asocia con la enfermedad cerebrovascular a traves de multiples mecanismos, de los que se derivan diferentes complicaciones. Identificar estas complicaciones permite su correcto abordaje.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aphasia / etiology*
  • Cerebrovascular Circulation / drug effects
  • Cocaine / adverse effects
  • Cocaine-Related Disorders / complications*
  • Crack Cocaine / adverse effects
  • Hemianopsia / etiology*
  • Humans
  • Infarction, Middle Cerebral Artery / chemically induced
  • Infarction, Middle Cerebral Artery / complications
  • Infarction, Middle Cerebral Artery / diagnosis*
  • Infarction, Middle Cerebral Artery / physiopathology
  • Magnetic Resonance Angiography
  • Male
  • Nimodipine / therapeutic use
  • Smoking / adverse effects
  • Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed
  • Ultrasonography, Doppler, Transcranial
  • Vasodilator Agents / therapeutic use
  • Vasospasm, Intracranial / chemically induced*
  • Vasospasm, Intracranial / physiopathology

Substances

  • Crack Cocaine
  • Vasodilator Agents
  • Nimodipine
  • Cocaine