Work

Cocaine-Induced Cardiomyopathy as a Rare Etiology of Severe Heart Failure in Young Adults: A Case Report

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Cocaine use is well known to cause acute cardiovascular events, but chronic cardiomyopathy is a less common consequence. We present a 27-year-old male with five years of cocaine use who developed acute decompensated heart failure, marked by severe biventricular dilation, an ejection fraction of 19%, pulmonary hypertension, and multiorgan congestion. After inpatient stabilization, he was started on guideline-directed medical therapy and abstained from cocaine. This case underscores that even profound cardiac dysfunction from cocaine can be substantially reversible with early recognition, aggressive therapy, and substance cessation.

Source: Cureus

DOI: 10.7759/cureus.106598

Authors: Pranali R Dave, Melkon Hacobian

Institutions: California University of Science and Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles

Language: English

Topic: Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy and Associated Phenomena

Subfield: Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: diamond

OpenAlex ID: W7151493950