TY - JOUR
PY - 2017//
TI - Multi-system complications after intravenous cocaine abuse
JO - Open access Macedonian journal of medical sciences
A1 - Petkovska, Lidija
A1 - Chibishev, Andon
A1 - Stevcevska, Aleksandra
A1 - Smokovski, Ivica
A1 - Petkovski, Dusan
A1 - Antova, Emilija
SP - 231
EP - 235
VL - 5
IS - 2
N2 - BACKGROUND: Use and abuse of cocaine are associated with numerous adverse effects, independent of the route of administration. More severe conditions of poisoning, however, are observed after cocaine intravenous administration.
AIM: We present a case of severe poisoning after violent intravenous injection of cocaine, but with a good outcome. CASE PRESENTATION: Cocaine was intravenously (i.v.) administered in 16-years old female patient as a homicide attempt. Shortly after that, patient experienced series of generalised tonic-clonic seizures, was highly febrile (40°C), somnolent, agitated, presenting with tachycardia, tachypnea and with increased blood pressure 150/90 mmHg. Neurologic status, lumbar puncture and computerised tomography (CT) of the brain were without remarks. Electroencephalogram (EEG) was characterised with signs of diffuse encephalopathy, and acid-base analyses resulted in metabolic acidosis. Urine screening revealed the presence of cocaine and benzodiazepines. The patient presented with signs of the hepatic lesion, acute renal insufficiency (ARI), and increased D-dimers resulting from activated fibrinolysis. The patient was discharged in stable general condition after being hospitalised for 23 days.
CONCLUSION: Intravenous abuse of cocaine results in overdose and serous multi-system complications requiring multidisciplinary diagnostic and intensive therapeutic approach.
Language: en
LA - en SN - 1857-9655 UR - http://dx.doi.org/10.3889/oamjms.2017.046 ID - ref1 ER -