ELECTROCARDIOGRAPHIC ABNORMALITIES IN COC AINE BASE PASTE CONSUMERS OF METROPOLITAN SANTIAGO

Background: The adverse effects of cocaine use mainly occur in the hea rt and central nervous system. Aim: To study the effects of cocaine ba se paste consumption on the cardiovascular system. Subjects and method s: Thirty five chronic cocaine base paste consumers, 26 male, aged 15 to 43 years old, were studied. A clinical assessment and a resting EKG were performed. Results were compared with those of 82 healthy contro ls. Results: Sixty percent of cocaine consumers had EKG abnormalities, compared with 43% of controls. Forty one percent of cocaine users and 33% of controls had a prolonged QTc. Likewise, 36% of cocaine users a nd 46% of controls had an incomplete right bundle branch block. Among cocaine users, an active nodal rhythm, an ischemic and a QS anterosept al image were observed. Conclusions: A slightly higher frequency of EK G abnormalities were observed in chronic cocaine users, when compared with healthy controls.