Acute ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction, a Unique Complication of Recreational Nitrous Oxide Use. 2017

Praveen Indraratna, and Chris Alexopoulos, and David Celermajer, and Kevin Alford
Department of Cardiology, Prince of Wales Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia; University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia. Electronic address: praveen@unsw.edu.au.

A 28-year-old male was admitted to hospital with an acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction. This was in the context of recreational abuse of nitrous oxide. The prevalence of nitrous oxide use in Australia has not been formally quantified, however it is the second most commonly used recreational drug in the United Kingdom. Nitrous oxide has previously been shown to increase serum homocysteine levels. This patient was discovered to have an elevated homocysteine level at baseline, which was further increased after nitrous oxide consumption. Homocysteine has been linked to endothelial dysfunction and coronary atherosclerosis and this case report highlights one of the dangers of recreational abuse of nitrous oxide.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008297 Male Males
D009609 Nitrous Oxide Nitrogen oxide (N2O). A colorless, odorless gas that is used as an anesthetic and analgesic. High concentrations cause a narcotic effect and may replace oxygen, causing death by asphyxia. It is also used as a food aerosol in the preparation of whipping cream. Laughing Gas,Nitrogen Protoxide,Gas, Laughing,Oxide, Nitrous
D006710 Homocysteine A thiol-containing amino acid formed by a demethylation of METHIONINE. 2-amino-4-mercaptobutyric acid,Homocysteine, L-Isomer,2 amino 4 mercaptobutyric acid,Homocysteine, L Isomer,L-Isomer Homocysteine
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000072657 ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction A clinical syndrome defined by MYOCARDIAL ISCHEMIA symptoms; persistent elevation in the ST segments of the ELECTROCARDIOGRAM; and release of BIOMARKERS of myocardial NECROSIS (e.g., elevated TROPONIN levels). ST segment elevation in the ECG is often used in determining the treatment protocol (see also NON-ST ELEVATION MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION). ST Elevated Myocardial Infarction,ST Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction,STEMI
D000328 Adult A person having attained full growth or maturity. Adults are of 19 through 44 years of age. For a person between 19 and 24 years of age, YOUNG ADULT is available. Adults
D013287 Illicit Drugs Drugs that are manufactured, obtained, or sold illegally. They include prescription drugs obtained or sold without prescription and non-prescription drugs. Illicit drugs are widely distributed, tend to be grossly impure and may cause unexpected toxicity. Club Drug,Drugs, Illegal,Illegal Drug,Illegal Drugs,Illicit Drug,Recreational Drug,Recreational Drugs,Street Drug,Street Drugs,Club Drugs,Drug, Club,Drug, Illegal,Drug, Illicit,Drug, Recreational,Drug, Street,Drugs, Club,Drugs, Illicit,Drugs, Recreational,Drugs, Street

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