HomeCannabis MedicineCannabis-Induced ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction With Possible Coronary Artery Dissection: A Case Report

Cannabis-Induced ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction With Possible Coronary Artery Dissection: A Case Report

June 29, 2023

Cureus. 2023 May 28;15(5):e39594. doi: 10.7759/cureus.39594. eCollection 2023 May.

ABSTRACT

Spontaneous coronary artery dissection is a rare and commonly underdiagnosed cause of acute coronary syndrome. Here, we report the case of a 36-year-old male patient who presented with an acute onset of left-sided chest pain, preceded by several hours of nausea and vomiting. Past medical history was significant for chronic marijuana use and multiple episodes of nausea and vomiting requiring multiple hospitalizations. Urinary drug screen was positive for cannabinoids only, and electrocardiography revealed an ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction. This was complicated by an episode of ventricular fibrillation that was successfully defibrillated and prompted cardiac catheterization, which revealed a coronary intraluminal filling defect and a segmental lesion, suggestive of coronary dissection. No evidence of atherosclerotic plaque was noticed. Stent placement and thrombectomy were pursued and the patient was stabilized. As cannabinoid use is gaining legality and becoming widespread, this case aims to enhance physicians’ awareness of potentially life-threatening complications of its use.

PMID:37384079 | PMC:PMC10294736 | DOI:10.7759/cureus.39594

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About The Author

Patrick Blanchard MD

Meet Dr. Blanchard Dr. Blanchard’s medical practice is an embodiment of Integrative health which brings conventional and complementary approaches together in a coordinated way. Conveniently located in sunny Florida and over the internet with ValiseMD’s secure HIPPA compliant telXmed servers. Since 1994, patients with a wide range of challenging medical problems have achieved optimum health using the best of natural medicine, judiciously combined with high-tech innovations. Breakthroughs are often achieved even after patients have consulted mainstream specialists and holistic practitioners. Dr. Blanchard is founder and CEO of ValiseMD, Inc. He is board certified in Family Medicine since 1994 and awarded Fellow of the American Academy of Family Physicians in 2001. He received the ‘Teacher of the Year’ award from the University of Kansas School of Medicine at completion of his residency in Family Medicine. He completed a fellowship at Wake Forest University in the field of vascular neurosonology. He holds a medical patent in the field of Gastroenterology. He holds an unrestricted license to practice medicine and surgery in Florida. He started his medical career as a Emergency Medical Technician, then as a Paramedic and later a Medical Doctor.