Valvular heart disease in a patient taking 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, 'Ecstasy')

摘要

3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine, (MDMA,'Ecstasy'), an amphetamine-derived drug, is a psychoactive stimulant used as a recreational drug. In vitro experiments have suggested that ecstasy can lead to fenfluramine-like proliferation of cardiac valves through activation of 5-hydroxytryptamine 2B (5-HT2B) receptors and can induce mitogenic responses in human valvular interstitial cells [1]. We report the first observation of valvular heart disease (VHD) with pathological confirmation after long term use of ecstasy.