Methamphetamine is associated with a potentially reversible cardiomyopathy with heart failure.
Typical patient:
(1) male
(2) White
(3) tachycardia
(4) tachypnea
(5) relatively young for heart failure
Comorbid conditions:
(1) obesity
(2) renal dysfunction with elevated serum creatinine
(3) former smoker
Laboratory findings:
(1) elevated serum BNP
(2) variable elevation of serum troponin
Echocardiography shows:
(1) moderate to severe left ventricular dysfunction, often with LVEF < 30%
(2) right ventricular dysfunction
(3) abnormal ventricular wall motion
(4) higher pulmonary arterial pressures
Complications:
(1) stroke
The diagnosis requires exclusion of other explanations for cardiomyopathy.
Discontinuation of substance abuse is associated with improvement of cardiac function.
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Specialty: Cardiology, Toxicology