Cardiac Troponin I and T Concentrations in Patients with Cocaine-Associated Chest Pain

Patients with cocaine-related chest pain with electrocardiographic (ECG) abnormalities are often admitted to rule out acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Cardiac troponin I and T should be superior to measurement of creatine kinase (CK)-MB for detecting cardiac injury in patients with coexisting skeletal muscle injury. We prospectively evaluated 19 consecutive patients with acute chest pain related to cocaine use who were hospitalized to rule out AMI. The admission ECG was abnormal in 16 of 19 patients. Total CK and CK-MB were elevated during the hospital course in 14 and 3 patients, respectively. Cardiac troponin I and cardiac troponin T levels were within normal limits in all patients demonstrating that recent myocardial injury did not occur. Clinically, no patient had an AMI. Cocaine-induced thoracic skeletal muscle injury or transient cocaine-induced coronary vasospasm should be considered as alternative sources of chest pain in these patients.