Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2026

Abstract

Increased opioid and stimulant overdoses continue to pose a public health threat to cardiac arrest caused by drug use. Fentanyl and methamphetamine have been linked to significant cardiovascular side effects, such as arrhythmias, respiratory depression, myocardial dysfunction and sudden cardiac arrest3,4. This case study includes a 32-year-old man who presented with cardiac arrest due to fentanyl and methamphetamine use, as well as focuses on health inequities related to limited access to healthcare education and mental health support. The patient was found unresponsive and pulseless for approximately 10 minutes before emergency medical services initiated cardiopulmonary resuscitation and achieved return of spontaneous circulation. Echocardiography revealed reduced ventricular function with an ejection fraction of 31–38%, while cardiac catheterization showed no coronary artery disease. Although his heart functioned better for a while, he ended up with a hypoxic brain injury and was declared brain dead. This case underlines the need for echocardiograms and the provision of equal access to addiction and mental health care.

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