Alveolar hemorrhage observed in a case of amphetamine intoxication

Abstract

Abstract:A 50-year-old man with acute amphetamine intoxication was admitted to the ICU. Fourteen days following admission, the patient showed respiratory distress with diffuse pulmonary infiltration. A diagnosis of alveolar hemorrhage was made from bloody fluid collected by bronchoalveolar lavage. He recovered fully following 5-day administration of methylpredonisolone. Although there are many reports about vascular complications associated with amphetamine abuse, this may be the rst case report about acute amphetamine intoxication complicated with alveolar hemorrhage. This report contains several discussions about possible vasculopathy associated with amphetamine intoxication.

A case of diffuse alveolar hemorrhage following synthetic cathinone inhalation

“…[2][3][4][5][6] On the other hand, there are some case reports showing that poisoning with illicit drugs (e.g., amphetamine and cocaine) resulted in DAH. [7,8] The SCs that were inhaled by this case are phenylalkylamine derivatives producing an amphetamine-like effect; therefore, it is reasonable that SC intoxication can cause DAH. [9] Second, because illicit drug poisonings are difficult to diagnose unless the patients confess them, appropriate treatments can be delayed such as with this case.…”