Open Access
Methamphetamine‐related cardiovascular diseases
Author(s) -
Schwarzbach Valentin,
Lenk Karsten,
Laufs Ulrich
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
esc heart failure
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.787
H-Index - 25
ISSN - 2055-5822
DOI - 10.1002/ehf2.12572
Subject(s) - medicine , sudden cardiac death , intensive care medicine , coronary artery disease , cardiomyopathy , disease , heart failure , abstinence , euphoriant , stroke (engine) , psychiatry , cardiology , mechanical engineering , engineering
Abstract Aims Abuse of crystal methamphetamine (MA) poses a growing problem for health services worldwide. This review summarizes the current literature on the effects of MA on the cardiovascular system. Methods and results This article is a presentation of a case report and review of the current literature. In Europe, especially the eastern countries and the eastern states of Germany are affected. MA increases the concentration of catecholamines in the synaptic gap leading to euphoria, alertness, and hunger suppression as well as psychiatric and gastrointestinal complications. MA consumption is associated with hypertension, acute and chronic myocardial toxicity, stroke, coronary artery disease, and sudden cardiac death. Although many aspects of the underlying pathophysiology remain unknown, catecholamine‐mediated pathologies appear to play an important role. The duration of MA consumption is the most important determinant for the prognosis. Conclusions Awareness is needed as cardiac complications are important causes of morbidity and mortality in patients with MA consumption. Drug abstinence is the mainstay of therapy, cardiac and other complications should be treated according to the respective guidelines. Incompliance to therapy and frequent relapses are the main challenges for successful treatment. Further research is required to improve the understanding of this rapidly increasing cardiomyopathy.