High Incidence of Adult Respiratory Distress Syndrome Associated With Amphetamine Use in the Burn Population

Methamphetamine and amphetamine has various cardiovascular and central nervous system effects. Initially prescribed in the 1930s for respiratory ailments such as asthma, current clinical indications of amphetamine range from treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder to narcolepsy. The mechanism of action is primarily potentiation of release of monoamine neurotransmitters, mainly dopamine and norepinephrine, from presynaptic nerve endings into the synaptic space, in addition to attenuation of monoamine metabolism by inhibiting monoamine oxidase. This in turn leads to an increase in sympathetic tone by alpha and beta adrenergic receptor activation, resulting in elevations in heart rate, respiratory rate, and vascular tone. Long-term use is associated with many adverse health effects including cardiomyopathy, hemorrhagic and ischemic stroke. Other long-term associations include increased violent behavior, documented increased motor vehicle accidents, and clandestine manufacturing of the drug.

Methamphetamine has also been associated with deleterious effects on society as a whole; it is credited as a cause of increase in rates of crime, abuse, and unemployment, and associated with great economic burden. A significant portion of healthcare resources consumed are rooted in the emergency department, particularly in trauma. Studies previously performed have demonstrated that methamphetamine use among patients that present to trauma centers has been continually increasing. Death is usually caused by cardiovascular collapse and while amphetamine abuse has been considered as a potential cause of acute respiratory distress syndrome, the reports are usually anecdotal. This investigation considers reviewing individuals with few to zero medical conditions who develop acute respiratory distress syndrome and are methamphetamine positive