Chronic hypertension, recreational cocaine use and a subsequent acute aortic dissection in a young adult

Cocaine is a widely used illicit substance and has previously been described as a risk factor for aortic dissection. We present a case of a young recreational cocaine user with uncontrolled hypertension who presented to hospital with acute chest pain and was diagnosed with an acute aortic dissection. The patient's last use of powdered cocaine was 3 days prior. A workup for secondary hypertension was negative and no other risk factors for aortic dissection were determined. In hospital, the patient was medically managed with multiple antihypertensive agents, was provided with education regarding the risk of ongoing stimulant use and resources to support his goal of abstinence. This case highlights the importance of considering a diagnosis of aortic dissection in a young patient presenting with acute chest pain, underscores the need for a thorough substance use history and provides a novel example of the potential danger of even recreational cocaine use.

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