Visceral ischemia is a potentially fatal complication of methamphetamine use.
Patient selection: evidence of methamphetamine use
Organs that may show ischemia include:
(1) heart
(2) pancreas
(3) liver
(4) gallbladder
(5) small intestine
(6) colon
(7) brain
Presentations may include:
(1) acute abdomen
(2) chest pain
(3) pancreatitis
(4) hematochezia
Risk factors for ischemia may include:
(1) pre-existing vascular disease (atherosclerosis, vasculitis)
(2) hypotension
(3) vasospasm
(4) vascular dissection
(5) co-ingestion of cocaine
(7) DIC
Differential diagnosis:
(1) methamphetamine-induced hyperthermia
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Specialty: Pharmacology, clinical
