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Unusual association of diseases/symptoms
CASE REPORT
Ischaemic cardiomyopathy and embolic stroke in a young adult with suspected synthetic cannabinoid use
  1. Sumera Khan1,
  2. Ahmad Hanif2,
  3. Michael F Wilson3,4
  1. 1 Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, New York, USA
  2. 2 Department of Medicine, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, New York, USA
  3. 3 University at Buffalo – The State University of New York, Buffalo, New York, USA
  4. 4 Nuclear Cardiology and Cardiovascular Computed Tomography, Kaleida Health Hospitals, Buffalo, NY, USA
  1. Correspondence to Dr Ahmad Hanif, ahmad.hanif{at}roswellpark.org

Summary

The incidence of cardiovascular disease is increasing in young adults. We are reporting a case of acute stroke in a young patient with severe ischaemic cardiomyopathy in the absence of traditional risk factors. After ruling out atherosclerotic disease, his presentation was attributed to synthetic cannabinoid use. We then discussed the typical barriers in early diagnosis and limitations of laboratory testing in this condition. Due to the increase in abuse of these synthetic drugs among young adults, there is a need for high clinical suspicion which can help with early recognition and improve morbidity and mortality associated with these chemicals.

  • ischaemic heart disease
  • stroke
  • drug misuse (including Addiction)

https://doi.org/10.1136/bcr-2018-224755

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    Footnotes

    • Contributors All authors contributed to the writing of this manuscript. SK wrote the case report and discussion. AH performed the literature search. MFW edited the paper and did final approval.

    • Funding The authors have not declared a specific grant for this research from any funding agency in the public, commercial or not-for-profit sectors.

    • Competing interests None declared.

    • Patient consent Obtained.

    • Provenance and peer review Not commissioned; externally peer reviewed.