Methamphetamine-related stroke: Four cases

Amphetamine use in certain parts of the United States has risen dramaticall y. Methamphetamine, the most-common illicitly abused type of amphetamine, c an be inhaled, injected intravenously, or smoked. It is a potent sympathomi metic that may lead to vascular events including myocardial infarction and stroke. Because of the demographics of drug use, these potentially devastat ing events usually occur in relatively young patients. The pathophysiology of stroke related to amphetamine use is multifactorial, Elevation in blood pressure, vasculitis, or other vascular toxicity are postulated as major me chanisms, Four cases of stroke associated with the use of methamphetamine, all occurring in patients ranging in age from 29-45 years, are described, M ethamphetamine use appears to be a risk factor for the development of strok e, The rise in methamphetamine use will undoubtedly result in increased Eme rgency Department admissions with clinical presentations very similar to th ose of cocaine intoxication. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Inc.