Our clinical experiences in vascular injuries due to intravenous drug abuse

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.

Keywords : Drug abuse, intravenous, vascular injury