Introduction: Recreational drugs affect the cardiovascular system through distinct mechanisms; however, data regarding their cardiovascular impact in the emergency department setting is limited. This study aimed to assess the incidence of cardiovascular effects following recreational drug use in presentations to the emergency department, identify the main drug groups involved, and compare cases with and without cardiovascular effects.

Methods: Data were extracted from the European Drug Emergency Network (Euro-DEN Plus) dataset from October 2013 to December 2021. Recreational drugs were categorised into ten main drug groups: opioids, cocaine, crack cocaine, cannabis, 3,4-methylenedioxymethamfetamine, amfetamine-type stimulants, gamma-hydroxybutyrate and gamma-butyrolactone, hallucinogens, benzodiazepines, and ketamine.

Results: Among 59,571 presentations, 13,905 (23.3%) involved cardiovascular effects. Cocaine (OR 3.19, 95% CI 2.99-3.39) and 3,4 methylenedioxymethamphetamine (OR 1.18, 95% CI 1.13-1.23) showed the strongest associations with cardiovascular features, including chest pain, palpitations, hypertension, and arrhythmias. Opioids (OR 0.35, 95% CI 0.31-0.38) and benzodiazepines (OR 0.38, 95% CI 0.32-0.44) were associated with less frequent cardiovascular features. Patients with cardiovascular features exhibited higher median values for temperature, heart rate, blood pressure, and respiratory rate (p <0.001). Cardiovascular features were associated with an increased risk of intubation (OR 1.91, 95% CI 1.70-2.15), critical care admission (OR 2.18, 95% CI 2.00-2.38), and mortality (OR 15.8, 95% CI 7.36-33.9).

Discussion: Cardiovascular effects were common in acute recreational drug toxicity. Cocaine and amfetamine-type stimulants increased the risk of chest pain and arrhythmias, with chest pain being a key indicator of acute coronary syndrome. Cardiovascular effects were more frequently observed with cocaine than with crack cocaine. Cannabis was positively associated with palpitations but not arrhythmias. Gamma-hydroxybutyrate and gamma-butyrolactone, opioids, and benzodiazepines were linked to hypotension. The presence of cardiovascular effects was associated with worse outcomes, underscoring the need for thorough cardiac assessment.

Conclusions: Cardiovascular effects were present in almost a quarter of emergency department presentations with acute recreational drug toxicity, particularly involving cocaine and 3,4 methylenedioxymethamphetamine.