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Ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke frequently occur in temporal association with use or abuse of illicit and over-the-counter(OTC)sympathomimetic drugs.However,little information is available on the proportion of strokes associated with use/abuse of drugs in specific hospital populations. Between September 1,1988,and August 1,1989,167 of 178 stroke patients entered into the Maryland Stroke Data Bank were asked for a history of drug use or abuse.Information was incomplete in 51 of 167(31%)patients due to neurologic deficit or lack of inquiry.Eleven of the remaining 116 cases (9.5%)were historically associated with drug use.Age range was 25 to 56 years(mean,41 years).Stroke associated with drug use occurred in four of 62(6%)cerebral infarcts,two of 28(7%)intracerebral hemorrhages,and five of 26(19%)subarachnoid hemorrhages(p=ns).Drugs included cocaine in five(45%), OTC sympathomimetics in three(27%),phencyclidine in two(18%),and heroin in one(9%). |
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