A rare case of renal infarction due to heroin and amphetamine abuse: case report

Renal infarctions as a result of recreational drug use are rare and are commonly associated with cocaine use. Although amphetamines have a similar mechanism of action as cocaine, there are few reports linking them to ischemic events, and only one to renal infarction. Similarly, few reports link heroin use with infarcts, but never in the kidney. Although uncommon, several mechanisms have been implicated in heroin and amphetamine-induced infarction, including vasculopathy, vasculitis and the activation of the coagulation cascade.

47-year-old female with a past medical history of non-intravenous heroin and amphetamine abuse, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, hypertension, hyperlipidemia presented with right lower extremity swelling and rash, which was diagnosed as cellulitis and treated appropriately. Incidentally, the patient was found to have an acute kidney injury and further workup identified multiple renal infarcts in the right kidney. The patient had no past medical history of clotting disorders. Blood culture and urine cultures were sterile; autoimmune and hypercoagulable workup were negative. Urinalysis was unremarkable. Urine toxicology was only positive for opiates and amphetamines, which were thought to be the most likely cause of the renal infarct. Patient was lost to outpatient follow up due to noncompliance, but returned to the hospital for re-emergence of her cellulitis, during which no new infarcts were discovered, and the previous renal infarct had scarred over.

There are very few reports of heroin and amphetamine-induced infarctions. This case report describes a rare but important complication of heroin/amphetamine abuse that could be easily overlooked.