The prevalence of illicit drug use in intensive cardiac care unit ICCU patients

Illicit drug use is associated with a nearly nine-fold greater risk of death or life-threatening emergencies in intensive cardiac care unit (ICCU) patients, according to research presented at ESC Congress 2022.

The ADDICT-ICCU study assessed the prevalence of illicit drug use and the association with in-hospital major adverse events in consecutive patients admitted for acute cardiovascular events. From 7 to 22 April 2021, all consecutive patients admitted to ICCU in 39 centers throughout France provided a urine sample tested for illegal drugs.

A total of 1,499 patients were screened. Reasons for admission included myocardial infarction, acute heart failure, arrhythmias, myocarditis, and pulmonary embolism.10.7% had a positive test for at least one illicit drug.

Patients who used illicit drugs tended to be young:33% of patients under 40 years of age were users compared with just 6% of those aged 60 years or above.

During a median hospitalization of five days, 4.1% had a major adverse event. Illicit drug use was associated with an almost nine-fold odds of major adverse events after adjusting for comorbidities. After adjustment for age and sex, cannabis use was associated with a three-fold odds of major adverse events while cocaine was associated with a five-fold odds. Of those using drugs, 28% took more than one type of drug. Multiple drug use was associated with a higher incidence of major adverse events than single drug use.

Ref:

Dr. Theo Pezel et al, ESC Congress 2022.