Cocaine and Ischemic Stroke: Epidemiological and Clinical Characteristics (P5.111)

Background: Cocaine use is known to be associated with occurrence of ischemic stroke (IS). However, there are limited studies regarding epidemiology of IS associated with cocaine use. Objective: The objective of our study was to assess whether epidemiological and clinical characteristics differ in cocaine positive and cocaine-naive IS patients. Methods: We reviewed retrospective data on IS patients admitted to University of Louisville Hospital between January, 2007 and March, 2013. Patients were divided into two groups based on whether they had a urine drug screen positive for cocaine or not and modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors, etiology (TOAST criteria) and discharge outcomes were compared between two groups. Results: Data was collected on 3030 patients of which 105 patients were cocaine-associated IS with a high incidence (13%) of cocaine associated IS in young stroke patients ≤ 45 years of age. Bivariate and Multivariate analysis revealed that cocaine-associated stroke patients were more likely (p 45 years) group. Univariate analysis also revealed that there was no difference in prevalence of Hypertension, CAD and Atrial Fibrillation between the two groups while non-cocaine related IS patients had more hyperlipidemia (p=.002). Multivariate analysis also revealed that cocaine associated IS patients were more likely to be diabetic (p=.003). It was also noted that cocaine related IS were more likely to have lacunar (p=.01) and cardioembolic (p=.03) etiology as compared to non-cocaine related IS patients. Conclusion: Cocaine associated IS is a common cause of stroke in young. Lacunar and cardioembolic strokes are more common in cocaine related IS patients and may suggest potential mechanisms contributing to IS related to cocaine abuse. Disclosure: Dr. Vaishnav has nothing to disclose. Dr. Remmel has received personal compensation for activities with Pfizer Inc. and Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals Inc. Dr. Moore has nothing to disclose. Dr. Ziegler has nothing to disclose.