Complications from the use of thrombolytic agents in patients with cocaine associated chest pain.
Publication/Presentation Date
1-1-1996
Abstract
Previous investigators have noted that patients with cocaine associated chest pain frequently have abnormal electrocardiograms, including ST segment elevation, in the absence of ongoing myocardial ischemia. The effects of these nonischemic ST segment elevations have not been evaluated. We report two patients with cocaine associated chest pain and ST segment elevations who received thrombolytic agents in the absence of myocardial ischemia. Neither patient sustained a myocardial infarction, nor had clinical evidence of reperfusion. The ST segment elevations persisted after resolution of chest pain in both patients, and both of the patients experienced complications of thrombolytic therapy. One patient sustained a hemorrhagic stroke and one had minor oral-pharyngeal bleeding. Given the lack of documented efficacy, concerns about safety, and poor specificity of the electrocardiogram for myocardial ischemia in patients with cocaine associated chest pain, thrombolytic therapy should be used with caution in these patients.
Volume
14
Issue
6
First Page
731
Last Page
736
ISSN
0736-4679
Published In/Presented At
Hollander, J. E., Wilson, L. D., Leo, P. J., & Shih, R. D. (1996). Complications from the use of thrombolytic agents in patients with cocaine associated chest pain. The Journal of emergency medicine, 14(6), 731–736. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0736-4679(96)00187-4
Disciplines
Business Administration, Management, and Operations | Health and Medical Administration | Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods
PubMedID
8969996
Department(s)
Administration and Leadership
Document Type
Article