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High-risk Coronary Plaque Regression in Cash-based Contingency Management Intervention Among Cocaine Users With HIV-associated Subclinical Coronary Atherosclerosis. J Addict Med 2023; 17:147-154. [PMID: 36001073 DOI: 10.1097/adm.0000000000001057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cocaine use exacerbates human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-associated subclinical coronary atherosclerosis. We investigated whether cocaine abstinence or reduced use achieved with contingency management (CM) intervention would retard high-risk coronary plaque progression among cocaine users with HIV and subclinical coronary atherosclerosis. METHODS Between March 2014 and August 2017, 76 cocaine users with HIV and coronary plaques were enrolled in a study designed to decrease cocaine use and determine whether doing so impacted progression of subclinical coronary atherosclerosis as measured by coronary artery computed tomography examinations. Of the 76, 7 did not complete the study, resulting in 69 participants. A 12-month cash-based CM intervention was implemented to promote cocaine abstinence or reduced cocaine use. Generalized estimating equation approach was used to perform longitudinal data analyses. FINDINGS During the 12-month CM, all 69 participants reduced cocaine use, and of these, 25 (36%; 95% confidence interval, 25%-49%) achieved cocaine abstinence. After adjusting for potential confounding factors, generalized estimating equation analyses showed that (1) endothelin-1 (ET-1) levels, a proinflammatory biomarker for endothelial dysfunction, at the 6-month and 12-month visits were significantly lower compared with baseline ET-1 ( P = 0.001 and P < 0.001, respectively), and (2) low-attenuation noncalcified coronary plaque volume, a predictor for myocardial infarction, at 12-month visit was significantly lower compared with baseline low-attenuation noncalcified coronary plaque volume ( P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS The findings of this study have not only demonstrated that CM is effective in achieving a sustained reduction in cocaine use, but also provided compelling evidence that reduction in cocaine use leads to quantifiable cardiovascular health benefits, including concurrent decrease in high-risk plaque burden and ET-1, among cocaine users with HIV-associated coronary atherosclerosis.
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O'Keefe EL, Dhore A, Lavie CJ. Early Onset Cardiovascular Disease from Cocaine, Amphetamines, Alcohol, and Marijuana. Can J Cardiol 2022; 38:1342-1351. [PMID: 35840019 DOI: 10.1016/j.cjca.2022.06.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2022] [Revised: 06/09/2022] [Accepted: 06/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Cardiovascular disease (CVD), a disease typically associated with aging and the definitive leading cause of death worldwide, now threatens the young and middle-aged populations. Recreational abuse of alcohol, marijuana, cocaine and amphetamine-type stimulants has been an escalating public health problem for decades, but now use of these substances has become a significant contributor to early onset CVD. While this remains a global phenomenon, the epicenter of substance abuse is rooted in North America where it has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. For the first time in history, the United States (US) crossed 100,000 overdose-related deaths in a calendar year. Sadly, Canada's recreational drug abuse problem closely mirrors that of the US. This is indicative of the larger public health crisis unfolding, as we now know that these substances are cardiotoxic and are contributing to the rising levels of premature chronic CVD, including hypertension, arrhythmias, heart failure, stroke, myocardial infarction, arterial dissection, sudden cardiac death and early mortality.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Carl J Lavie
- John Ochsner Heart and Vascular Institute, Ochsner Clinical School, University of Queensland School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA.
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Gagnon LR, Sadasivan C, Perera K, Oudit GY. Cardiac Complications of Common Drugs of Abuse: Pharmacology, Toxicology and Management. Can J Cardiol 2021; 38:1331-1341. [PMID: 34737034 DOI: 10.1016/j.cjca.2021.10.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2021] [Revised: 10/16/2021] [Accepted: 10/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Cardiovascular complications from drugs of abuse are becoming more apparent due to increased usage worldwide. Substance abuse can cause both acute and chronic cardiovascular complications and is increasing in prevalence especially in young adults. These substances contribute to the development of acute coronary syndrome, type II myocardial injury, arrhythmias, cardiomyopathies and have numerous other cardiovascular complications. Although no screening guidelines exist, clinical awareness of these potential complications and their prevention, clinical presentation, diagnosis, and treatment are critically important. Management of cardiovascular disease should be coupled with appropriate social and mental health interventions to provide sustained clinical benefit. The higher the number of substances used recreationally, the greater the risk of premature heart disease. Epidemiological studies showed that 1 in 5 young adults misuse several substances and often start using at younger ages with a greater risk for adverse health outcomes over the long-term. The aim of this review is to highlight the basic epidemiology, cardiac complications, and disease-specific treatment options of commonly abused substances including methamphetamine, cocaine, alcohol, anabolic-androgenic steroids, cannabis, and tobacco.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luke R Gagnon
- Department of Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada; Mazankowski Alberta Heart Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Chandu Sadasivan
- Department of Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada; Mazankowski Alberta Heart Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Kevin Perera
- Department of Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada; Mazankowski Alberta Heart Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Gavin Y Oudit
- Department of Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada; Mazankowski Alberta Heart Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
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Chen DH, Kolossváry M, Chen S, Lai H, Yeh HC, Lai S. Long-term cocaine use is associated with increased coronary plaque burden - a pilot study. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF DRUG AND ALCOHOL ABUSE 2020; 46:805-811. [PMID: 32990047 DOI: 10.1080/00952990.2020.1807558] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Background: There is a lack of research regarding whether prolonged use of cocaine would lead to increase of coronary plaque burden. Objectives: To study the effects of cocaine use on the coronary artery plaque volume. We hypothesize the longer the cocaine use, the greater the plaque burden. Methods: We used coronary computed tomography angiography to evaluate plaque volumes. The study included chronic (N = 33 with 27 HIV+) and non-cocaine users (N = 15 with 12 HIV+). Chronic cocaine use was defined as use by any route for at least 6 months, administered at least 4 times/month. The Student's t-test was used to compare the plaque volumes between chronic and non-cocaine users. Multivariable regression analysis adjusted for age, sex, body mass index, HIV status, cigarette smoking, diabetes, and total cholesterol was performed to determine the relationship between years of cocaine use and plaque volumes. Results: The total plaque volumes between groups showed no difference (p = .065). However, the total left anterior descending artery (LAD) plaque volume in the chronic cocaine group was significantly higher than that in the non-cocaine group (p = .047). For each year increase in cocaine use, total plaque volume and total LAD plaque volume increased by 7.23 mm3 (p = .013) and 4.56 mm3 (p = .001), respectively. In the multivariable analyses, both total plaque volume and total LAD plaque volume were significantly associated with years of cocaine use (p = .039 and 0.013, respectively). Conclusion: Prolonged cocaine use accelerates the development of sub-clinical atherosclerosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Doris Hsinyu Chen
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health , Baltimore, USA
| | - Márton Kolossváry
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine , Baltimore, USA.,MTA-SE Cardiovascular Imaging Research Group, Heart and Vascular Center, Semmelweis University , Budapest, Hungary
| | - Shaoguang Chen
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine , Baltimore, USA.,Institute of Human Virology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine , Baltimore, USA
| | - Hong Lai
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine , Baltimore, USA.,Institute of Human Virology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine , Baltimore, USA
| | - Hsin-Chieh Yeh
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine , Baltimore, USA
| | - Shenghan Lai
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine , Baltimore, USA.,Institute of Human Virology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine , Baltimore, USA
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Duflou J. Psychostimulant use disorder and the heart. Addiction 2020; 115:175-183. [PMID: 31321853 DOI: 10.1111/add.14713] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2019] [Revised: 05/08/2019] [Accepted: 06/10/2019] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Psychostimulants are a diverse range of substances that encompass cocaine and the phenylethylamines, the latter including the amphetamines, cathinones and some 'novel psychoactive substances'. This paper examines the range of pathophysiological processes, clinical presentations and treatment options involving the heart and cardiovascular system both in the acute setting and where long-term effects of psychostimulant use have affected the cardiovascular system. A common feature of these drugs is their effect on the cardiovascular system, where their major action is that of sympathomimetic amines with short- and long-term stimulation of the adrenergic system and consequent effects on blood pressure, cardiac modelling, atherogenesis and cellular calcium signalling. Cocaine additionally exhibits a variety of prothrombotic effects, effects on inflammatory mediators and alterations in myocardial gene expression. Persistent psychostimulant use results in progressive cardiovascular pathology, largely in the form of accelerated atherosclerosis, hypertension and myocardial ischaemia. Abstinence results in at least partial reversal of pathology. To a large extent, an assumption is made that treatment protocols used for cocaine-associated cardiovascular pathology apply to the amphetamines and other phenylethylamines, but there appears to be little research in this area, despite acknowledgement that cocaine and the better-known amphetamines have different modes of action.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johan Duflou
- National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, University of New South Wales, NSW, Australia.,Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, NSW, Australia
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Intravenous Cocaine Results in an Acute Decrease in Levels of Biomarkers of Vascular Inflammation in Humans. Cardiovasc Toxicol 2019; 18:295-303. [PMID: 29372505 DOI: 10.1007/s12012-017-9440-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Cocaine use causes significant cardiovascular morbidity from its hemodynamic effects. It is less clear whether cocaine promotes atherosclerosis. Vascular inflammation is one of the earliest steps in the pathophysiology of atherosclerosis. We hypothesized that cocaine results in an increase in inflammatory markers. Study objective was to measure the acute effects of intravenous cocaine on biomarkers of vascular inflammation. Eleven chronic cocaine users were enrolled. After a drug-free period, they received intravenous cocaine at 0.36 mg/kg dose in an in-hospital controlled environment. Serum levels of soluble CD40 ligand, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, interleukin 6, and soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 were measured at baseline, 6 h, 24 h, and 6 days after cocaine challenge and at baseline for controls. After cocaine challenge, sCD40 ligand levels decreased in subjects and were significantly lower at 24 h. MCP-1 levels decreased and were significantly lower at the 6-day time point. No significant changes in IL-6 or sICAM-1 level were found. In conclusion, intravenous cocaine did not result in an increase in levels of inflammatory markers. Levels of MCP-1 and sCD40L decreased significantly. This unexpected finding suggests that chronic effects of cocaine on inflammation may be different from acute effects or that higher dosing may have differential effects as compared to lower dose used here.
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Sandfort V, Bluemke DA, Vargas J, Brinker JA, Gerstenblith G, Kickler T, Zheng G, Li J, Chen S, Lai H, Fishman EK, Lai S. Coronary Plaque Progression and Regression in Asymptomatic African American Chronic Cocaine Users With Obstructive Coronary Stenoses: A Preliminary Study. J Addict Med 2017; 11:126-137. [PMID: 28060223 PMCID: PMC5354964 DOI: 10.1097/adm.0000000000000282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Although rapid progression of coronary atherosclerosis was observed in chronic cocaine users, it is unknown whether reduced cocaine use retards the progression of atherosclerosis. We investigated whether reduced cocaine use over a 12-month period was associated with coronary plaque regression in cocaine users. METHODS Fifteen African American chronic cocaine users with previously coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA)-confirmed >50% coronary stenosis in Baltimore, Maryland, were enrolled in a study to investigate whether reduced cocaine use is associated with changes in coronary plaque burden over a 12-month period of cash-based incentive intervention, which was implemented to systematically reinforce cocaine abstinence. In addition to previous CCTA (preintervention), CCTA was performed at the intervention baseline and at postintervention. Plaque analyses were performed to determine the trajectory of plaque changes in the absence of intervention by comparing the preintervention with the intervention baseline studies; the trajectory of plaque changes associated with the intervention by comparing the intervention baseline with the postintervention studies; and (3) whether reduced cocaine use was independently associated with changes in coronary plaque burden. RESULTS During the 12-month cash-based incentive intervention period, cocaine use in participants was lower. The medians of noncalcified plaque indices were 37.8 (interquartile range [IQR] 29.3-44.0), 43.1 (IQR 38.3-49.0), and 38.7 (IQR 31.2-46.8) mm at preintervention, intervention baseline, and postintervention, respectively. Multivariable generalized estimating equation analysis showed that both total plaque and noncalcified plaque indices at preintervention were significantly lowered as compared with intervention baseline levels; both total plaque and noncalcified plaque indices after intervention were significantly lowered as compared with intervention baseline levels; and reduced cocaine use was independently associated with lower total plaque volume index (P < 0.0001) and noncalcified plaque volume index (P = 0.010). CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that continued cocaine use may be associated with noncalcified plaque progression, whereas reduced cocaine use may be associated with noncalcified plaque regression. Larger studies are needed to confirm these findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veit Sandfort
- Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, National Institutes of Health Clinical Center, 10 Center Dr, Bldg 10/1C355, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - David A Bluemke
- Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, National Institutes of Health Clinical Center, 10 Center Dr, Bldg 10/1C355, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
- Department of Radiology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Jose Vargas
- Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, National Institutes of Health Clinical Center, 10 Center Dr, Bldg 10/1C355, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
- MedStar Health Research Institute, Georgetown University Hospital, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Jeffrey A. Brinker
- Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Gary Gerstenblith
- Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Thomas Kickler
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Gang Zheng
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Ji Li
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Shaoguang Chen
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Hong Lai
- Department of Radiology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Elliot K. Fishman
- Department of Radiology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Shenghan Lai
- Department of Radiology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
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Talarico GP, Crosta ML, Giannico MB, Summaria F, Calò L, Patrizi R. Cocaine and coronary artery diseases: a systematic review of the literature. J Cardiovasc Med (Hagerstown) 2017; 18:291-294. [PMID: 28306693 DOI: 10.2459/jcm.0000000000000511] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Cocaine is associated with important cardiac complications such as sudden death, acute myocarditis, dilated cardiomyopathy, life-threatening arrhythmias, and myocardial ischemia as well as infarction. It is well known that cocaine may induce vasospasm through adrenergic stimulation of the coronary arteries. Moreover, cocaine may promote intracoronary thrombosis, triggered by alterations in the plasma constituents, and platelet aggregation, leading to subsequent myocardial infarction. The long-term use of cocaine may stimulate atherosclerosis, probably through endothelial cell dysfunction. Significant and severe coronary atherosclerosis is common in young chronic cocaine users and there is probably a relationship between the duration and frequency of cocaine use and the extent of coronary disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovanni P Talarico
- aDepartment of Cardiology, Policlinico Casilino bDepartment of Psychiatry, Policlinico Agostino Gemelli, Rome, Italy
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Denegri A, Ameri P, Paparo F, Murialdo G. Lower limb ischemia due to long-term abuse of cocaine. J Cardiovasc Med (Hagerstown) 2016; 17 Suppl 2:e176-e177. [DOI: 10.2459/jcm.0000000000000083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
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10
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Abstract
With each successive year, the number of Emergency Department (ED) visits related to illicit drug abuse has progressively increased. Cocaine is the most common illegal drug to cause a visit to the ED. Cocaine use results in a variety of pathophysiological changes with regards to the cardiovascular system, such as constriction of coronary vessels, dysfunction of vascular endothelium, decreased aortic elasticity, hemodynamic disruptions, a hypercoagulable state, and direct toxicity to myocardial and vascular tissue. The clinical course of patients with cocaine-induced chest pain (CCP) is often challenging, and electrocardiographic findings can be potentially misleading in terms of diagnosing a myocardial infarction. In addition, there is no current satisfactory study regarding outcomes of use of various pharmacological drug therapies to manage CCP. At present, calcium-channel blockers and nitroglycerin are two pharmacological agents that are advocated as first-line drugs for CCP management, although the role of labetalol has been controversial and warrants further investigation. We performed an extensive search of available literature through a large number of scholarly articles previously published and listed on Index Medicus. In this review, we put forward a concise summary of the current approach to a patient presenting to the ED with CCP and management of the clinical scenario. The purpose of this review is to summarize the understanding of cocaine's cardiovascular pathophysiology and to examine the current approach for proper evaluation and management of CCP.
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Associations between Tobacco, Alcohol, and Drug Use with Coronary Artery Plaque among HIV-Infected and Uninfected Men in the Multicenter AIDS Cohort Study. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0147822. [PMID: 26811937 PMCID: PMC4727883 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0147822] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2015] [Accepted: 01/08/2016] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND We characterized associations between smoking, alcohol, and recreational drug use and coronary plaque by HIV serostatus within the Multicenter AIDS Cohort Study (MACS). METHODS MACS participants (N = 1005, 621 HIV+ and 384 HIV-) underwent non-contrast CT scanning to measure coronary artery calcium; 764 underwent coronary CT angiograms to evaluate plaque type and extent. Self-reported use of alcohol, tobacco, smoked/inhaled cocaine, methamphetamine, ecstasy, marijuana, inhaled nitrites, and erectile dysfunction drugs was obtained at semi-annual visits beginning 10 years prior to CT scanning. Multivariable logistic and linear regression models were performed, stratified by HIV serostatus. RESULTS Among HIV+ men, current smoking, former smoking, and cumulative pack years of smoking were positively associated with multiple coronary plaque measures (coronary artery calcium presence and extent, total plaque presence and extent, calcified plaque presence, and stenosis >50%). Smoking was significantly associated with fewer plaque measures of comparable effect size among HIV- men; current smoking and calcified plaque extent was the only such association. Heavy alcohol use (>14 drinks/week) was associated with stenosis >50% among HIV+ men. Among HIV- men, low/moderate (1-14 drinks/week) and heavy alcohol use were inversely associated with coronary artery calcium and calcified plaque extent. Few significant associations between other recreational drug use and plaque measures were observed. CONCLUSION Smoking is strongly associated with coronary plaque among HIV+ men, underscoring the value of smoking cessation for HIV+ persons. Alcohol use may protect against coronary artery calcium and calcified plaque progression in HIV- (but not HIV+) men. Few positive associations were observed between recreational drug use and coronary plaque measures.
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Stankowski RV, Kloner RA, Rezkalla SH. Cardiovascular consequences of cocaine use. Trends Cardiovasc Med 2015; 25:517-26. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tcm.2014.12.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2014] [Revised: 12/03/2014] [Accepted: 12/17/2014] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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