Case Report: Cocaine induced coronary artery spasm leading to ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI)

Abstract

Cocaine use may lead to acute myocardial infarction. Despite being expensive, it is most commonly used illicit street drug. Cocaine-induced infarction is particularly common in younger patients. Adversely affecting the cardiovascular system, it can lead to sudden cardiac death, ventricular arrhythmias and myocardial infarction. During acute event, coronary angiography may be normal or there may be evidence of coronary artery disease. Coronary artery spasm is reversible phenomena characterized by focal or diffuse constriction of coronary segment in one or more coronaries, restricting blood flow in coronaries, causing myocardial ischemia and thrombus formation.