Sudden cardiac death and addictive chemical substances

Abstract

Over the last century, an epidemic of substance abuse in the United Sates has resulted in significant mortality and morbidity. Drug abuse is now a major problem in many societies, though the pattern of drug abuse differs from country to country and even from one province to another. The most common illicit drugs abused worldwide include cannabis, cocaine, amphetamines, and opiates such as heroin. In this chapter, we discuss the role of addictive substances in sudden death.