Objectives: The aim of this study was to present our clinical experiences in vascular injuries due to intravenous drug abuse.
Patients and methods: This retrospective study included a total of 36 patients (26 males, 10 females; mean age 31.2 years; range, 24 to 52 years) who were admitted to our clinic with vascular injury as a result of drug abuse between October 2016 and October 2019. All patients were followed for three months after treatment and relevant data of the patients were evaluated.
Results: Vascular injuries were present in the lower limbs in 19 (52.7%) patients and in the upper limbs in 17 (47.2%) patients. In two (5.5%)
patients with arterial injury in the lower limb, arterial ischemic findings developed and one of these injuries resulted in foot amputation
and the other one below knee amputation. All lower limb pseudoaneurysms were located only in the femoral region. Three of them were
superficial femoral artery pseudoaneurysms and four were pseudoaneurysms of the common femoral artery. Deep venous thrombosis was
seen in the lower limbs of five (13.8%) patients.
Conclusion: Vascular injuries secondary to intravenous drug abuse are remarkable problems. Patients usually postpone admission to the
hospital as much as they can, even if some symptom occurs, since drug abuse is not legal. Pathologies become even more irreversible over
time. A prompt intervention can reduce possible mortality and morbidity in these patients.
Key words: Drug abuse, intravenous, vascular injury
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