Patterns and Outcomes of Peripheral Vascular Complications Following Self-injection of Addictive Drugs.

Intravascular drug abuse is a common health problem with increasing prevalence throughout the world. The estimated number of IV drug abusers around the world is15.6 millions.The prevalence of injected drug use is estimated between 0.09% and 1.3% depending on geographic location. There are various complications of IV drug abuse that are related to the toxicity of the substance, mode of consumption, and drug taking mode. These complications include skin and soft tissue infection (cellulitis, abscess, necrotizing fasciitis) (28%),infected(ranges from .03% to 1%)or non-infected pseudoaneurysm ,arterial ischemia( thrombosis , distal embolization), and venous thrombosis(29%).

The wide spectrum of complications due to IVDA mandates a wide range of treatment for each type starting from simple medical treatment such as antibiotics or anticoagulation to the most extensive surgical treatment options in cases such as PA that may require ligation of the arterial supply without revascularization. This may lead to gravid complications such as limb amputation.