TY - JOUR
T1 - A little “dab” will do ya’ in
T2 - a case report of neuro-and cardiotoxicity following use of cannabis concentrates
AU - Rickner, Shannon S.
AU - Cao, Dazhe
AU - Kleinschmidt, Kurt
AU - Fleming, Steven
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2017 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.
PY - 2017/10/21
Y1 - 2017/10/21
N2 - Context: The use of marijuana and cannabis concentrates is increasing, especially following decriminalization in several states. Psychosis and cardiotoxicity have been reported following cannabis use; however, myocardial injury from “dabbing” has not yet been reported. We report a case of hyperthermia, tachycardia, hypertension, severe agitation, neuro-, and cardiotoxicity following the use of “dabs” where there is concomitant confirmatory biological and sample testing. Case details: A 17-year-old athletic man developed agitation requiring sedation and intubation for safety, with peak systolic blood pressures in the 190s and hyperthermia (to 102 °F). He developed elevated serum troponins with persistent tachycardia despite sedation and no clear non-intoxicant etiology. It was discovered that the patient had recently been “dabbing”; an exhaustive search of his home found a sample of the “dabs” which was analyzed along with a comprehensive urine drug screen by tandem liquid mass spectroscopy (t-LCMS) for confirmation. Discussion: Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) has been increasingly associated with agitation and cardiotoxicity, while cannabidiol (CBD) has been associated with neuroprotective, inhibitory states. We propose that increasing concentrations of THC as well as THC:CBD ratios seen in cannabis concentrates such as “dabs” may cause agitation and end-organ damage through sympathomimetic and serotonergic pathways.
AB - Context: The use of marijuana and cannabis concentrates is increasing, especially following decriminalization in several states. Psychosis and cardiotoxicity have been reported following cannabis use; however, myocardial injury from “dabbing” has not yet been reported. We report a case of hyperthermia, tachycardia, hypertension, severe agitation, neuro-, and cardiotoxicity following the use of “dabs” where there is concomitant confirmatory biological and sample testing. Case details: A 17-year-old athletic man developed agitation requiring sedation and intubation for safety, with peak systolic blood pressures in the 190s and hyperthermia (to 102 °F). He developed elevated serum troponins with persistent tachycardia despite sedation and no clear non-intoxicant etiology. It was discovered that the patient had recently been “dabbing”; an exhaustive search of his home found a sample of the “dabs” which was analyzed along with a comprehensive urine drug screen by tandem liquid mass spectroscopy (t-LCMS) for confirmation. Discussion: Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) has been increasingly associated with agitation and cardiotoxicity, while cannabidiol (CBD) has been associated with neuroprotective, inhibitory states. We propose that increasing concentrations of THC as well as THC:CBD ratios seen in cannabis concentrates such as “dabs” may cause agitation and end-organ damage through sympathomimetic and serotonergic pathways.
KW - Adverse health effects of marijuana use
KW - adolescent
KW - cannabis concentrates
KW - dabs
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U2 - 10.1080/15563650.2017.1334914
DO - 10.1080/15563650.2017.1334914
M3 - Article
C2 - 28644052
AN - SCOPUS:85021191497
SN - 1556-3650
VL - 55
SP - 1011
EP - 1013
JO - Clinical Toxicology
JF - Clinical Toxicology
IS - 9
ER -