Myocardial infarction associated with inappropriate use of topical cocaine as treatment for epistaxis

Am J Emerg Med. 1992 May;10(3):219-22. doi: 10.1016/0735-6757(92)90213-H.

Abstract

A case of a 57-year-old man with hypertension and stable angina, on aspirin therapy, who was treated for epistaxis with intranasal cocaine, and who subsequently suffered a non-Q wave myocardial infarction is reported. Of note, the cocaine was administered in a manner which differs from that advocated in standard references. Specifically, intranasal packing soaked with 4% cocaine was left in place with continuous nasal mucous membrane contact over 5 to 6 hours. The authors speculate that myocardial infarction occurred on the basis of coronary artery spasm. This case should alert practitioners to myocardial ischemia occurring as a complication of the therapeutic use of intranasal cocaine for the treatment of epistaxis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Intranasal
  • Cocaine / administration & dosage
  • Cocaine / adverse effects*
  • Cocaine / therapeutic use
  • Electrocardiography
  • Epistaxis / drug therapy*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Myocardial Infarction / chemically induced*
  • Myocardial Infarction / physiopathology

Substances

  • Cocaine