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Cocaine

Rare Vascular Emergency in HIV-Positive Patient Triggers Cardiovascular Alarm

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

A rare case of celiac artery dissection in a patient with HIV infection and recent cocaine use has been reported, highlighting the potential synergistic role of cocaine's hemodynamic effects and HIV-associated vasculopathy in precipitating visceral arterial dissection. According to the research, the patient presented with acute epigastric pain shortly after cocaine ingestion and was managed conservatively with strict blood pressure control, analgesia, and close monitoring. The patient remained hemodynamically stable and was managed non-operatively, with plans for outpatient follow-up and risk-factor modification.

Key Takeaways:

  • A 2025 study published in Cureus reports a unique case of spontaneous celiac artery dissection in a patient with HIV infection and recent cocaine use.
  • The patient presented to the emergency department with acute epigastric pain shortly after cocaine ingestion and was diagnosed with an isolated dissection of the celiac artery without aortic involvement.
  • Conservative management, including strict blood pressure control, analgesia, and close monitoring, resulted in a favorable outcome for the patient.
  • The research highlights the potential synergistic role of cocaine's hemodynamic effects and HIV-associated vasculopathy in precipitating visceral arterial dissection in patients with atypical risk factors.
  • The case underscores the importance of considering visceral artery dissection in patients with atypical risk factors, such as HIV infection and cocaine use.
  • The study, titled "Celiac Artery Dissection in an HIV-Positive Patient With Cocaine Use: A Rare Vascular Emergency," was conducted by researchers from Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine.
  • Abbas Merchant, Anesthesia, Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, is credited as the corresponding author for the study.
  • Additional authors include Haashim Rahman, Aaryan Patel, Adithya Nagendran, and Constantino G. Lambroussis.

Statistics:

  • The prevalence of celiac artery dissection in patients with HIV infection and cocaine use is unknown, but the case highlights the potential risks associated with these factors.
  • The research concludes that conservative management, including strict blood pressure control and analgesia, resulted in a favorable outcome for the patient.
  • The patient remained hemodynamically stable and was managed non-operatively, with plans for outpatient follow-up and risk-factor modification.
  • According to the news report, the research has been peer-reviewed and published in the journal Cureus.

Sources:

  • Cureus. "Celiac Artery Dissection in an HIV-Positive Patient With Cocaine Use: A Rare Vascular Emergency." Cureus, vol. 17, no. 9, 2025, doi: 10.7759/cureus.10189.
  • NewsRx. "Studies from Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine Describe New Findings in HIV/AIDS (Celiac Artery Dissection in an HIV-Positive Patient With Cocaine Use: A Rare Vascular Emergency)." AIDS Weekly, vol. 131, November 3, 2025, p. 131.

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