MYOCARDIAL DAMAGE AND RHABDOMYOLYSIS ASSOCIATED WITH PROLONGED HYPOXIC COMA FOLLOWING OPIATE OVERDOSE

Case Report: We report a case of biopsy proven myocardial damage after opiate-induced rhabdomyolysis. Myocardial biopsy showed focal lesions formed by small mononuclear inflammatory cells with a few neutrophils , associated with degenerated and necrotic myocardial fibers, intersti tial edema and congestion of intrinsic blood vessels. These findings w ere similar to those seen with other drug overdoses if combined with s trenuous muscular effort or hypoxic coma. We hypothesize that myocardi al damage is a consequence of intracapillary myohypoxia associated wit h prolonged hypoxic coma following opiate overdose.