Prevalence of illicit drugs use and association with in-hospital major adverse events in patients hospitalised for acute cardiac events: the ADDICT-ICCU Trial

Abstract

Abstract Background The prevalence and short-term cardiovascular consequences of illicit drug use in patients admitted to the intensive cardiac care unit (ICCU) for acute cardiovascular events are not well established. Purpose The Addiction in Intensive Cardiac Care Units (ADDICT-ICCU) study was designed to assess prospectively the prevalence of illicit drugs use, and their association with the occurrence of in-hospital major adverse events (MAEs) in consecutive patients admitted to ICCUs for acute cardiovascular events. Methods From 7 to 22 April 2021, screening for illicit drug was performed by systematic urinary testing in a prospective study including all consecutive patients admitted to ICCU in 39 centres throughout France. The primary outcome was the prevalence of the illicit drugs detected. The secondary clinical outcome was in-hospital Major Adverse cardiac Events (MAEs) defined by death, resuscitated cardiac arrest or cardiogenic shock. Results Among 1,499 consecutive patients screened (age 63.3±14.9 years, 69.6% male), 161 (10.7%) had a positive test for illicit drugs (cannabis: 9.1%, opioids: 2.1%, cocaine: 1.7%, amphetamines: 0.7%, 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine: 0.6%). Patients who used illicit drugs were young (33.0% at age <40 vs. 5.9% at age ≥60 years), and more frequently male (11.9% vs. 8.1%, p<0.001). Self-reported current use was 56.5% in patients with a positive test. After a median duration of hospitalisation of five days, there were 61 in-hospital MAEs (4.1%). The detection of illicit drugs was associated with a higher rate of MAEs after adjustment for known predictors of severity (OR=8.84; 95% CI: 4.68–16.7, p<0.001) or after using a propensity score adjustment (OR=5.81; 95% CI: 4.14–8.14, p<0.001). After adjustment for age and sex, detection of cannabis or cocaine was significantly associated with MAEs (OR=3.53; 95% CI: 1.25–9.95, p<0.001; OR=5.12; 95% CI: 1.48–17.2, p=0.004 respectively). Multiple drug detection (28% of positive patients) was associated with a higher incidence of MAEs than single drug detection. Conclusions The prevalence of illicit drugs use in patients hospitalised in the ICCUs for acute cardiovascular events was 10.7% and was under-reported. Illicit drugs detection was independently associated with a higher occurrence of in-hospital MAEs. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: Foundation. Main funding source(s): Fondation Coeur et Recherche