Question -What is the pathophysiology of cocaine-induced acute aortic dissection?
Answer- The cited article notes “The pathophysiology behind cocaine-induced acute aortic dissection is multifactorial”. These authors state that these factors include 1-acute hypertension as a result of an abrupt catecholamine surge, 2-endothelial dysfunction, 3-vessel wall injury, 4-vascular smooth muscle cell apoptosis, 5-cystic medial necrosis and 6-concomitant cigarette smoking. (Havavkuk O et al. The cardiovascular effects of cocaine. 2017 J Am Coll Cardiology 70(1): 101-113)
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