Author/Authors :
Sampat, Parth J. Department of Medicine - SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY, USA , Riaz, Sana Department of Medicine - SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY, USA , Bisen, Maneesh Department of Medicine - SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY, USA , Carhart, Robert Department of Cardiology - SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY, USA
Abstract :
Marijuana has become the most widely used illicit drug in the United States. Approximately 43.5 million Americans aged 12 or
above have reported the use of marijuana in the last year. The use of cannabinoids and its relationship with cardiac effects are
not well known. Many types of arrhythmias have been noted with the use of cannabis products with atrial fibrillation being the
most common arrhythmia associated with the use of cannabis. We present a case of a 36-year-old male who presented with
pounding chest pain, dyspnea, and diaphoresis following marijuana use. He was found to be in ventricular tachycardia which
responded to amiodarone. Workup done was negative for any structural disease, and cardiac catheterization was negative for
coronary artery disease. He was ultimately discharged on metoprolol. In this report, we focus on how marijuana can be
associated with many arrhythmias including ventricular tachycardia with focus on mechanisms by which it can occur. We
believe a detailed social history with screening for cannabis use can identify more cases of arrhythmias that can be potentially
associated with marijuana use.