Biomaterial Database

Pulmonary artery medial hypertrophy in cocaine users without foreign particle microembolization. 1989

R J Murray, and J E Smialek, and M Golle, and R J Albin

Department of Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine and Hospital, Baltimore.

A reduction in the DCO has been reported among "free-base" cocaine smokers. We reviewed the pulmonary histopathology in 20 deaths due to cocaine intoxication for either parenchymal or vascular abnormalities which might explain this physiologic finding. Pulmonary artery medical hypertrophy in the absence of foreign particle microembolization was present in four of 20 cases (20 percent). Hemosiderin-laden macrophages were found in seven of 20 cases (35 percent). These abnormalities were not seen in a matched control group. We conclude that in the absence of foreign particle microembolization, pulmonary artery medial hypertrophy occurs among cocaine users, although the mechanism of these vascular changes is unknown. In addition, occult alveolar hemorrhage occurs more frequently among cocaine users than is clinically recognized.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D006984	Hypertrophy	General increase in bulk of a part or organ due to CELL ENLARGEMENT and accumulation of FLUIDS AND SECRETIONS, not due to tumor formation, nor to an increase in the number of cells (HYPERPLASIA).	Hypertrophies
D008168	Lung	Either of the pair of organs occupying the cavity of the thorax that effect the aeration of the blood.	Lungs
D008297	Male		Males
D011651	Pulmonary Artery	The short wide vessel arising from the conus arteriosus of the right ventricle and conveying unaerated blood to the lungs.	Arteries, Pulmonary,Artery, Pulmonary,Pulmonary Arteries
D011652	Pulmonary Circulation	The circulation of the BLOOD through the LUNGS.	Pulmonary Blood Flow,Respiratory Circulation,Circulation, Pulmonary,Circulation, Respiratory,Blood Flow, Pulmonary,Flow, Pulmonary Blood,Pulmonary Blood Flows
D011653	Pulmonary Diffusing Capacity	The amount of a gas taken up, by the pulmonary capillary blood from the alveolar gas, per minute per unit of average pressure of the gradient of the gas across the BLOOD-AIR BARRIER.	Capacity, Pulmonary Diffusing,Diffusing Capacity, Pulmonary
D011655	Pulmonary Embolism	Blocking of the PULMONARY ARTERY or one of its branches by an EMBOLUS.	Pulmonary Thromboembolism,Thromboembolism, Pulmonary,Embolism, Pulmonary,Embolisms, Pulmonary,Pulmonary Embolisms,Pulmonary Thromboembolisms,Thromboembolisms, Pulmonary
D003042	Cocaine	An alkaloid ester extracted from the leaves of plants including coca. It is a local anesthetic and vasoconstrictor and is clinically used for that purpose, particularly in the eye, ear, nose, and throat. It also has powerful central nervous system effects similar to the amphetamines and is a drug of abuse. Cocaine, like amphetamines, acts by multiple mechanisms on brain catecholaminergic neurons; the mechanism of its reinforcing effects is thought to involve inhibition of dopamine uptake.	Cocaine HCl,Cocaine Hydrochloride,HCl, Cocaine,Hydrochloride, Cocaine
D005260	Female		Females
D005547	Foreign Bodies	Inanimate objects that become enclosed in the body.	Foreign Objects,Gossypiboma,Retained Surgical Instruments,Retained Surgical Items,Retained Surgical Needle,Retained Surgical Sponge,Retained Surgical Tools,Textiloma,Bodies, Foreign,Body, Foreign,Foreign Body,Foreign Object,Gossypibomas,Object, Foreign,Objects, Foreign,Retained Surgical Instrument,Retained Surgical Item,Retained Surgical Needles,Retained Surgical Sponges,Retained Surgical Tool,Surgical Instrument, Retained,Surgical Instruments, Retained,Surgical Item, Retained,Surgical Items, Retained,Surgical Needle, Retained,Surgical Needles, Retained,Surgical Sponge, Retained,Surgical Sponges, Retained,Surgical Tool, Retained,Surgical Tools, Retained,Textilomas