Case Reports: Acute myocardial infarction associated with Captagon use

Although acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is usually a disease of older ages, it may be seen in younger ages. In young cases of AMI non- atherosclerotic coronary artery disease (CAD), thrombophilia, illicit drug abuse, premature atherosclerosis must be considered. Illicit drug abuse such as amphetamines and cocaine has been widely recognized as a causative agent in AMI. Abuse of fenethylline as the brand Captagon may also cause AMI. Today, most of the counterfeit Captagon tablets do not contain fenethylline, but combination of substances that mimic the effects of the original molecule. This report describes a young male who presented with an acute anterior MI after taking a tablet of Captagon and discuss cardiovascular effects of amphetamines and substances that mimic the effects of the amphetamines.