Summary
Introduction. Alarming trends concerning cannabis use have been noticed in recent years. Cannabis consumption is increasing, Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol content is rising and the number of highly potent synthetic cannabinoids is growing. As a result, there is the emergence of marijuana related serious adverse health effects, including cardiovascular events. Research confirms the possible influence of marijuana consumption on the development of myocardial infarction.
Case report. We describe a 44-year-old man with inferior ST-segment elevation miocardial infarction. Urgently performed coronary angiography showed occlusion in the proximal right coronary artery. Patient was managed by percutaneous coronary intervention and stent placement. During the questioning, he confessed that was smoking cannabis a few hours before the onset of symptoms and use marijuana once a week for 5 years already.
Conclusions. Studies have shown that cannabis use affects hemodynamics by causing temporary tachycardia and hypertension. Smoking cannabis also increases blood carboxyhemoglobin levels and can induce atherosclerosis. These effects on the cardiovascular system can lead to myocardial infarction, the risk of which is highest within the first hour of consumption. Epidemiological data show that cannabis users who have suffered a heart attack tend to be young and less likely to have other cardiovascular risk factors. However, even in the presence of additional risk factors, marijuana use must be considered as a possible trigger for acute coronary syndrome.
