CELLULAR MECHANISMS OF COCAINE CARDIOTOXICITY

Although cocaine abuse has been a major drug problem in the United Sta tes for over 100 years, it has only been in the last decade that the a dverse effects of cocaine on the cardiovascular system have become a s erious health issue. The cardiotoxic effects of cocaine are multifacto rial and remain a puzzle for investigators to solve. Evidence suggests that cocaine-induced toxic effects on the cardiac and vascular cells include both direct as well as indirect components. In addition, other chemical, physiologic, and environmental factors may further complica te and alter mechanisms and endpoints of cocaine-induced cellular toxi city. In order to fully understand the overall cardiotoxic response to cocaine, the cellular mechanisms and endpoints of toxicity of each of these potentially injurious factors must be identified.