Cerebral Angiographic Changes in the Drug Abuse Patient

Abstract

The cerebral angiographic findings in 19 drug abuse patients are presented. Many larger and intermediate-size arteries showed irregular segmental areas of constriction with changes of caliber and contour of the vessel walls. Many arteries with diameter of 1 mm or less demonstrated complete or partial occlusions. Some occlusive changes have an appearance suggestive of embolic phenomena, but it is possible the changes are due primarily to vasculitis and secondary thrombus formation. Which drugs or combination of drugs are responsible for these changes is unknown, as is the role of impurities in the drugs and sepsis.