Contraction band necrosis in two ecstasy abusers: A latent lethal lesion associated with ecstasy

Abstract

Cardiotoxicity associated with ecstasy has been reported in recent years but is very rare. We described 2 lethal cases associated with Ecstasy use. One whole tablet of ecstasy in one case and a half-tablet ecstasy in another case led to lethal effect, but death was not simply attributed to a lethal intoxication. Severe myocardial contraction band necrosis was observed in these 2 cases as revealed by the histopathologic examination. Focal interstitial infiltration of lymphocyte and monocyte around myocardial lesions in case one was also found. The results suggest that contraction band necrosis could be induced by ecstasy and is a potential lethal lesion in some cases. © 2009 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Inc.