ACUTE AORTIC DISSECTIONS AND RUPTURED BERRY ANEURYSMS ASSOCIATED WITHMETHAMPHETAMINE ABUSE

Sudden, unexpected death can occur following rupture of an artery weak ened by aneurysmal dilatation or by medial dissection. In both of thes e diseases the arterial abnormality is exacerbated by hypertension. Th is arterial weakness could also be aggravated by the use of drugs with a hypertensive effect. We report seven cases of sudden death in patie nts abusing methamphetamine-four cases of ruptured berry aneurysms and three cases of aortic dissection with cardiac tamponade. The autopsy findings are reviewed, and various mechanisms are considered by which methamphetamine may contribute to death in such cases.