Acute Renal Infarction and Heavy Marijuana Smoking

Abstract

The first case of acute renal infarction in a patient with heavy marijuana smoking is described. The patient had no concomitant previous medical history. There was no evidence of a primary or secondary hypercoagulable state. Underlying neoplasm was excluded. Recovery was associated with normalization of transaminases and lactic dehydrogenase but with a persistent triangular hypoechogenic area in the right kidney. The combination of marijuana-associated alterations in systemic blood pressure due to peripheral vasodilation, functional anemia and an adrenergic effect might have been the cause of the arteria renalis thrombosis in our patient, but the real underlying pathophysiological mechanism still remains unresolved.

Cannabis-related Stroke

“…1,[8][9][10] Interestingly, despite its widespread abuse, cannabis-associated cerebrovascular disease is only infrequently reported. 3 The purpose of this review is to analyze the different aspects of neurovascular complications in cannabis users as described in the literature.…”

Renal infarction without hematuria: Two case reports

“…Ultrasonic scanning of the kidney is of little help (38 -42) More often than not, there will be operator inexperience or non-characteristic changes (43). At present, we can (26,27) Marijuana or cocaine abuse (28)(29)(30) screen patients via LDH and urinalysis in conjunction with identified risk factors. This way we can avoid unnecessary contrast-enhanced CT scan.…”

Safety Issues Concerning the Medical Use of Cannabis and Cannabinoids

“…Renal infarction following cannabis smoking has also been reported (57). Cognitive function: Impaired performance has been observed using the circular lights test after subjects smoked two cannabis cigarettes containing 2.8% THC (58).…”