ABSTRACT
Numerous clinical and basic studies have shown that cocaine as well as its metabolites can adversely affect the cerebral, coronary, and pulmonary circulations in both humans and animals. Indeed, our laboratories have found that cocaine metabolites can have profound vasoactive effects on cerebral arteries. The cerebrovascular effects of cocaine are not limited to humans. The association of cocaine and placental abruption and uterine rupture is clinically very important, though it is unlikely to be mediated through cocaine-elicited vascular changes. While none of the cocaine metabolites has been shown to possess psychotropic activity, they may have vascular effects. In the laboratory, the authors investigated the possibility that benzoylecgonine might be responsible for some of the delayed cerebrovascular events previously attributed to cocaine. Interestingly, benzoylecgonine has limited effects on newborn piglet cerebral arterioles.
