Effect of chronic cocaine abuse on the elastic properties of aorta

Background: Any unfavorable effect of cocaine on aortic elastic properties will contribute to the adverse effects of cocaine on the cardiovascular system. Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the aortic elastic properties in long-term crack cocaine abusers. Methods: Twenty-eight consecutive chronic cocaine abusers and 36 control subjects with similar age, gender, cholesterol, and triglyceride plasma levels, as well as incidence of cigarette smoking, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus were enrolled in the study. Results: The average duration of cocaine abuse was 10 +/- 3.2 years. Diastolic thoracic aortic diameter was increased in cocaine users compared with control subjects (P < 0.05). Aortic strain and distensibility were approximately twofold lower and aortic stiffness index approximately threefold higher in patients compared with control subjects (P < 0.01). The duration of cocaine abuse was related to low aortic strain and distensibility as well as increased aortic stiffness index (R = -0.32, R = -0.38, and R = 0.28, respectively, weighted for age; P < 0.01). When the cocaine abusers were divided into quartiles of duration of cocaine using (first quartile: < 5 years; second quartile: > 5 and < 8 years; third quartile: > 8 and < 11 years; and fourth quartile: > 11 years), progressive increase was found in aortic stiffness index. Conclusion: The present study demonstrates that chronic cocaine abuse clearly produces significant decrease in the elastic properties of aorta. This effect of cocaine is related to the duration of cocaine abuse.