A recent study from France published in the journal “Heart” brings forward alarming statistics on the potential link between recreational drug use and admissions to cardiac intensive care units.
High Proportion of Drug Use in Cardiac ICU Admissions
The study found that among patients admitted to cardiac intensive care in 39 French hospitals over a two-week period in April 2021, approximately 1 in 10 had traces of recreational drugs in their urine samples.
This proportion was even higher in younger patients, with 1 in 3 patients under 40 testing positive.
The drugs most frequently identified were cannabis (9%), opioids (2%), cocaine (2%), amphetamines (1%), and MDMA or ecstasy (0.5%).
Increased Risk of Adverse Outcomes
Patients who tested positive for drugs were notably more at risk of severe outcomes, such as cardiac arrest or haemodynamic shock, especially if admitted for certain heart conditions.
After adjustments for other underlying conditions, these patients were nearly 9 times more likely to experience such outcomes. Even more concerning was that those who had traces of multiple drugs were 12 times more at risk.
While the study reveals a strong correlation between recreational drug use and adverse heart-related events, it’s observational in nature. This means that it does not definitively prove causation.
The study’s short timeframe (two weeks) and the limited number of events suggest that the results should be interpreted with caution.
Implications for Medical Practice
Recreational drugs can increase various cardiovascular parameters like blood pressure, heart rate, and the heart’s oxygen demand.
The findings from the study hint at the potential benefits of urine screening in patients with acute cardiovascular issues. Such screening could aid in assessing the patient’s risk profile in cardiac intensive care.
An accompanying editorial from doctors at London-based institutions underscores that the study wasn’t aimed at identifying a direct cause-and-effect relationship. It raises two pertinent questions:
- Should cardiac ICU patients be routinely screened for drug use?
- What interventions should be implemented if a test comes back positive?
The authors suggest that identifying drug use might help ascertain the cause of the patient’s condition and guide treatment decisions.
Moreover, a positive test could pave the way for counseling sessions on the harmful effects of drugs and drug cessation measures.
However, there are concerns regarding costs, patient privacy, and potential discrimination with such screenings.
The study underscores the possible ties between recreational drug use and severe cardiac outcomes.
Though larger studies are necessary to draw more concrete conclusions, the findings highlight the potential dangers associated with recreational drug use and the need for further research.
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The study was published in Heart.
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