Acute myocardial infarction and ischemic stroke coexistence due to marijuana abuse in an adolescent.

Introduction

Bonzai, a synthetic derivative of cannabis, is increasingly being used by young adults, and even adolescents, on account of the fact that it is cheap and easily accessible. We present the case of a young patient with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and acute ischemic stroke related to bonzai.

Case Report

A 15-year-old teenager presented with complaint of chest pain for 3 h. He had been a heavy bonzai smoker for 2.5 years, and approximately 2 h passed after this last smoke. His blood pressure and heart rate were 84/47 mm Hg and 104 bpm, respectively. Electrocardiography (ECG) revealed right bundle-branch block and ST-segment elevation in leads DI, II, III, aVL, aVF, and V4-6 (Fig. 1a). Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) revealed moderate mitral regurgitation, +2 spontaneous echo contrast (SEC) in left chambers, and left ventricular (LV) inferior and posterolateral wall hypokinesia with an ejection fraction (EF) of 40% (Video 1–3). Aspirin, 300 mg and clopidogrel, 600 mg were administered with the diagnosis of ST-elevation myocardial infarction, and the patient was referred to the catheterization laboratory. Coronary angiography (CAG) revealed normal coronary arteries (Fig. 2a–d). Troponin I levels were 6.4 ng/mL (0–0.028 ng/mL), and the other biochemical findings were unremarkable. Considering coronary vasospasm, we initiated diltiazem therapy. After 2 h of initiation, the patient complained of right-sided blurred vision. Initial cranial multidetector computed tomography findings (MDCT) were normal (Fig. 3a). A control MDCT showed acute occipital lobe infarction (Fig. 3b). Because of +2 SEC in the left chambers, we presumed cardio-embolism to be the main reason for the stroke. After 7 days of low-molecular-weight heparin and warfarin therapy, the patient’s visual impairment was alleviated. He was discharged on the 10th day and called for a control visit after 1 month. At the control visit, ECG revealed inverted T waves in leads DI, II, aVL, and V4-6 (Fig. 1b). TTE revealed mild mitral regurgitation and normal LV wall motion (Video 3, 4). Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed for confirmation, and it revealed late myocardial gadolinium enhancement in the posterolateral portion of the heart (Fig. 4a, b; Video 5).

Figure 1

(a) ECG showing RBBB and ST segment elevation in leads DI, II, III, aVL, aVF, and V4-6; (b) Control ECG showing inverted T waves in leads DI, II, aVL, and V4-6 without RBBB

Figure 2

(a–d) CAG showing normal coronary arteries

Figure 3

(a, b) Initial and control cranial MDCT

Figure 4

(a, b) Cardiac MRIs showing late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) in posterolateral portion of the heart (arrows), which is consistent with an old myocardial infarction

Discussion

Marijuana is a rare trigger for AMI. The risk of AMI onset increases by almost 5-fold 1 h after smoking marijuana and persists afterwards (1). Marijuana intoxication usually causes an increase in the sympathetic activity and a decrease in the parasympathetic activity, resulting in tachycardia and increased cardiac output, with little or no increase in blood pressure (2). There are different reports on the type of AMI associated with marijuana, including atherosclerotic coronary artery disease, coronary artery thrombosis, and coronary vasospasm (3, 4). Considering vasospasm, the present patient was administered diltiazem during hospitalization. Usually, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular ischemic mechanisms associated with marijuana are similar. Intense postural hypotension, cardio-embolism, vasospasm, and increased catecholamines and carboxyhemoglobin levels might be the responsible mechanisms. Paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF) is accepted as the main reason for cardio-embolism (5–7). Albeit the sinus rhythm observed in the patient’s admission ECG, SEC in the left chambers suggested a history of PAF. Resolution of symptoms with anticoagulants and disappearance of SEC indicates cardio-embolism as the responsible mechanism. Furthermore, in children and adolescents, following marijuana consumption, posterior cerebrovascular circulations have been reported as the regions of predilection (8). Our patient’s stroke-related area was the left occipital lobe, which confirms the predilection.

Conclusion

Marijuana is a novel illicit drug used worldwide. There have been some reports about the side effects of marijuana on the cardiovascular and cerebrovascular systems. To the best of our knowledge and according to the literature, our patient was the youngest to present with stroke and myocardial infarction.

Video 1

TTE showing inferior and posterolateral wall hypokinesis with an EF of 40%.

Video 2

TTE showing +2 SEC in left chambers.

Video 3

TTE showing moderate mitral regurgitation.

Video 4

Control TTE showing normal left ventricular wall motion.

Video 5

Control TTE showing mild mitral regurgitation.

Video 6

Cardiac MRI showing mild posterolateral hypokinesia.