Myocardial infarction in the setting of cocaine use

A review was published in Clinical Medicine and Research. Cocaine can induce myocardial infarction through several mechanisms. General management principles for myocardial infarction apply except that beta blockers are contraindicated in the initial treatment phase due to the risk of unopposed alpha receptor stimulation. Beta blockers should be started at hospital discharge when the cocaine effects have dissipated. Benzodiazepines are useful in the initial management. The possibility of cocaine use should be considered and addressed when young patients present with MI.