Hawaii medical journal
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Hawaii medical journal · Mar 2004
Case ReportsFatal postoperative arrhythmia in a man with a remote history of methamphetamine and cocaine use: a case report.
Long-term methamphetamine and cocaine use are associated with significant cardiovascular consequences. Despite these demonstrated associations, adverse effects that persist after cessation of drug use are difficult to establish. Cardiovascular pathology associated with long-term drug use may have subclinical presentations that persist long after cessation of drug use. In asymptomatic persons with a remote history of long-term methamphetamine or cocaine use, it may be prudent to assume existing subclinical cardiovascular pathology with positive methamphetamine or cocaine use history as a cardiac risk factor.