Marijuana-associated peripheral arteriopathy

• Published in: Medicina Vol. 79; no. 2; p. 144
• Main Authors: Young, Pablo, Vadala, Sabrina, Finn, Bárbara C, Pankl, Sonia, Montes Onganía, Agustín, Bruetman, Julio E
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Spanish
• Published: Argentina 2019
• Subjects: Adult; Cannabis; Humans; Male; Marijuana Abuse - complications; Peripheral Arterial Disease - chemically induced; Peripheral Arterial Disease - therapy; Risk Factors; Thromboangiitis Obliterans - chemically induced; Treatment Outcome; marijuana; peripheral arterial disease; vasculitis; chronic ischemia; Buerger's disease

The marijuana arteriopathy should be considered in young patients with peripheral arterial disease with no risk factors for atherosclerosis. It was described for the first time in 1960 and since then there have been about 100 cases published in the literature. Although it tends to be considered as an independent entity of thromboangiitis obliterans or Leo Buerger's disease, in the light of the last findings it is possible to consider it within the spectrum of the latter. We present two cases of young patients with peripheral vascular disease associated with marijuana use where other associated illnesses had been excluded and where the mainstay of treatment has been the cessation of marijuana consumption. It is essential to assess drug use in young patients presenting with peripheral arterial disease.