Multiple Arterial Thromboses Associated With Anabolic Androgenic Steroids

Abstract

The use of supraphysiological doses of anabolic androgenic steroids can have serious side effects. This article reports the case of a young man who suffered potentially life-threatening arterial thromboses following the use of these drugs.

Anabolic Androgenic Steroid Abuse: The Effects on Thrombosis Risk, Coagulation, and Fibrinolysis

“…Since the first case report of cardiac death in a young man abusing AAS was presented in 1988, 15 numerous cases with thrombotic outcome have been described. Myocardial infarction has been identified in several cases, [16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24] and also case reports documenting stroke, 25,26 renal infarction, 17,27 multiple abdominal arterial infarctions, 28 as well as intraventricular thrombus with systemic embolization to the arteries of the extremities 29,30 have been presented. In addition, AAS abuse has been reported in a few cases of cerebral venous thrombosis, [31][32][33][34] deep venous thrombosis, and/or pulmonary embolism.…”

Multiple intussusceptions associated with polycythemia in an anabolic steroid abuser, a case report and literature review

“…[ 7 17 ] McCulloch et al . [ 9 ] reported the case of a patient abusing AAS, who presented with multiple arterial thromboses, including the splenic and right renal arteries, reporting that the ischemic effects of steroids can affect larger vessels. [ 9 ] Similarly to our case, Magnusson et al .…”

“…[ 9 ] reported the case of a patient abusing AAS, who presented with multiple arterial thromboses, including the splenic and right renal arteries, reporting that the ischemic effects of steroids can affect larger vessels. [ 9 ] Similarly to our case, Magnusson et al . [ 20 ] published a case of polycythemia vera and associated small bowel obstruction, where laparotomy demonstrated transmural ischemia in the distal sigmoid colon and proximal rectum.…”

“…Our case suggests, consistently with previous reports that, the patient's use of AAS led to the development of polycythemia. [ 2 7 9 17 19 24 ] The consequent hyperviscosity likely leads to intravascular sludging and subsequent mesenteric ischemia with associated bowel wall thickening that subsequently served as a lead points in the formation of two short segment small bowel intussusceptions.…”

“…Some reported adverse effects included virilization in female users, truncal acne, weight gain, gynecomastia, polycythemia, congestive cardiac failure and myocardial infarctions, dyslipidemia, mood alteration, and renal failure. [ 1 2 6 7 8 9 ] In addition, the abuse of AAS has expanded beyond the scope of professional athletes to include high school students (1–5%), individuals (i.e., recreational body builders), focused on physique (13.5%), as well as certain occupations (i.e., police officers). [ 3 10 ]…”