Arteriopatía periférica asociada a marihuana / Marijuana-associated peripheral arteriopathy

La arteriopatía por marihuana debe ser considerada en pacientes jóvenes con arteriopatía periférica sin factores de riesgo para ateroesclerosis. Se ha descrito por primera vez en 1960 y existen más de 100 casos en la literatura. Si bien se tiende a considerar como una entidad independiente de la tromboangeítis obliterante o enfermedad de Leo Buerger, debido a los hallazgos la consideramos dentro del espectro de esta última. Presentamos dos casos de pacientes jóvenes con enfermedad vascular periférica asociada al consumo de marihuana, luego de excluir otras enfermedades. El tratamiento es el cese del consumo. Es indispensable valorar el uso de drogas en pacientes jóvenes que se presentan con arteriopatía periférica.

The marijuana arteriopathy should be considered in young patients with peripheral arterial disease with no risk factors for atherosclerosis. It was described for the first time in 1960 and since then there have been about 100 cases published in the literature. Although it tends to be considered as an independent entity of thromboangiitis obliterans or Leo Buerger´s disease, in the light of the last findings it is possible to consider it within the spectrum of the latter. We present two cases of young patients with peripheral vascular disease associated with marijuana use where other associated illnesses had been excluded and where the mainstay of treatment has been the cessation of marijuana consumption. It is essential to assess drug use in young patients presenting with peripheral arterial disease.

Arteriopatía periférica crónica inducida por cocaína / Chronic peripheral arterial disease induced by cocaine

La trombosis periférica aguda inducida por cocaína ha sido descripta en la literatura, siendo una complicación poco común. Si bien existen comunicaciones que reflejan los efectos crónicos de la cocaína sobre el sistema arterial periférico, no hay casos publicados de tal complicación en ausencia de otros factores de riesgo. Se presenta el caso de una mujer de 22 años de edad con antecedentes de consumo de cocaína intranasal de 3 gramos por semana durante un año, que consultó por claudicación intermitente a los 200 metros asociada a dolor y parestesias en miembro inferior izquierdo de 2 meses de evolución. El ecodoppler arterial evidenció una estenosis mayor del 70% en la arteria femoral superficial izquierda. Se realizaron estudios complementarios descartando otras etiologías probables. Se inició tratamiento con ácido acetilsalicílico, cilostazol y ejercicio reglado, asociado a terapia de apoyo para mantenimiento del cese del consumo de cocaína, con buena respuesta. Se destaca la importancia de la difusión de información a los pacientes, dado que la mayoría de la población desconoce las complicaciones cardiovasculares de dicha adicción. Es indispensable indagar sobre el consumo de cocaína en pacientes jóvenes con arteriopatía sin factores de riesgo aparentes.

Cocaine induced acute peripheral thrombosis, though a rare complication, has been described in the literature. Although there are reports describing the chronic effects of cocaine on the peripheral arterial system, there are no published cases of this complication when other risk factors are lacking. We report on a 22 year old female patient, with intranasal consumption of 3 grams of cocaine per week for a year, who consulted for intermittent claudication at 200 meters, associated to left lower limb pain and paresthesiae for the last two months. Arterial Doppler ultrasonography showed a stenosis greater than 70% in the superficial left femoral artery. Other probable etiologies were excluded. Treatment was initiated with acetylsalicylic acid, cilostazol and graded physical exercise, associated to support therapy in order to maintain cocaine consumption avoidance, with good response. This case emphasizes the relevance of patients information, as most people ignore the cardiovascular complication of this addiction. It is also essential to inquire about cocaine consumption in young patients with peripheral arteriopathy and no apparent risk factors.

Ergotismo secundario a la asociación ergotamina-ritonavir: A propósito de 3 casos / Ergotism secondary to ergotamine-ritonavir association: Report of three cases

Ergotism is a complication of the acute intoxication or chronic abuse of ergot derivatives. It may be manifested by a vasomotor syndrome with peripheral vascular disease frequently involving extremities. We report three patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), in antiretroviral treatment (ART) that included a protease inhibitor as ritonavir, and had received self-medicated ergotamine. They developed symptoms of peripheral vascular disease and the physical examination showed no arterial pulses in the affected vessels. Arterial Doppler confirmed signs of diffuse arterial spasm in all of them. An arteriography was performed to the second patient and it showed obliteration of the distal sector of the ulnar and radial arteries. Ergotism secondary to ergotamine-ritonavir association was diagnosed. Patients were treated discontinuing the administration of involved drugs, arterial vasodilators and prophylactic anticoagulation, with marked improvement of symptoms.