Abstract

RICO-MESA, Juan S; RICO-MESA, Maria A  and  BERROUET, Maria C. Ischemic stroke related to acute consumption of cocaine. CES Med. [online]. 2017, vol.31, n.2, pp.207-214. ISSN 0120-8705.  https://doi.org/10.21615/cesmedicina.31.2.10.

Cocaine is one of the most common used psychomotor stimulants in the world. It's often used during the second and third decade of life. Nowadays, cocaine abuse in Colombia is rising, with negative effects for the consumer's health and making it a problem of public health. Cardiovascular diseases are the most common side effects related to cocaine abuse. However, adverse neurological effects remain to be a very important cause of morbidity and mortality. Particularly, the risk of ischemic stroke might be up to seven-fold higher in cocaine users in comparison to non-users. In the following report, we describe the case of a 22-year-old man who presented to the emergency department with a hemispheric ischemic stroke secondary to cocaine intake. Next, we review the key toxicological aspects and the physiopathology of this neurological complication, with special emphasis in the effect of the toxic metabolite "norcocaine", which can explain most of the adverse neurological outcomes. Finally, we review the therapeutic options for cocaine induced ischemic stroke.

Keywords : Cocaine; Ischemic stroke; Complications.

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