More heart infections and strokes in the US linked to national opioid epidemic

DALLAS, March 11, 2021 — The ongoing U.S. opioid epidemic may have led to an increase in the number of

strokes

due to more bacterial infections of the heart, or

infective endocarditis

, according to preliminary research to be presented at the American Stroke Association’s

International Stroke Conference 2021

. The virtual meeting is March 17-19, 2021 and is a world premier meeting for researchers and clinicians dedicated to the science of stroke and brain health.

According to the most recent

comprehensive data

(January 2020) from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), stroke is the fifth leading cause of death in the United States and a major contributor to long-term disability. Typically each year in the United States, up to 47,000 people are treated in the hospital for endocarditis, which increases stroke risk. This serious, sometimes deadly infection occurs when bacteria in the bloodstream reach the heart lining, valves or blood vessels. While endocarditis is uncommon, people with certain heart conditions are at greater risk.

Another risk factor for endocarditis is intravenous (IV) drug use. During IV drug use, bacteria from the injection needle enter the blood stream. In light of the ongoing, two decades-long national opioid epidemic, researchers wanted to understand the risk of stroke among patients with endocarditis from IV drug use compared to patients with endocarditis due to other causes. They also measured the frequency of endocarditis related to IV drug use.

This study included 351 patients treated for endocarditis at Ohio State University’s Wexner Medical Center between January 1, 2014 and July 1, 2018. Nearly half of the patients had a history of IV drug use.

The researchers found:

• Over the four-year study, the occurrence of endocarditis from IV drug use increased by 630%.
• Patients with endocarditis due to IV drug use were much more likely (26%) than those with endocarditis from other causes (14%) to have a stroke.
• Patients with endocarditis from IV drug use were more likely than other patients to be homeless, unemployed and uninsured.

“Patients who are known IV drug users who have endocarditis should be more carefully screened for symptoms of

cardiovascular disease

,” said the study’s corresponding author Shahid M. Nimjee, M.D., Ph.D., associate professor of neurosurgery and surgical director of the Comprehensive Stroke Center at Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center in Columbus, Ohio.

“The wider societal impact of the opioid epidemic is not well understood,” Nimjee said. “Our research suggests that the impact of the opioid epidemic is far-reaching and contributes to increased costs in the criminal justice, health care systems and the workplace. The increased costs can be particularly substantial for stroke care.”

Medical costs were more than two times higher among patients with endocarditis from IV drug use than among those with endocarditis from other causes. This translated into a difference of more than $100,000 in health care costs during admission per patient, Nimjee noted.

The study did not control for other factors that could have affected stroke risk, and it included patients from only one hospital, therefore, the findings may not apply to other groups of patients.

###

Co-authors are Nguyen Hoang, M.D.; Varun Shah, B.S.; Bipul Gnywali, B.S.; Jessica Granger, B.A.; Victoria Schuneman, M.D.; David Dornbos III, M.D.; H. Francis Farhadi, M.D., Ph.D.; Patrick P. Youssef, M.D.; and Ciaran J. Powers, M.D., Ph.D. The study authors report no funding or disclosures.

Additional Resources:

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• AHA resources on
  
  infective endocarditis
  
• 
  Alarming number of heart infections tied to opioid epidemic
  
• 
  Opioid epidemic fueling a rise in infection-related stroke
  
• 
  Opioid use may increase risk of dangerous heart rhythm disorder
  
• 
  AHA Opioid Education for Healthcare Providers
  
• For more news at ASA International Stroke Conference 2021, follow us on Twitter
  
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Statements and conclusions of studies that are presented at the American Heart Association’s scientific meetings are solely those of the study authors and do not necessarily reflect the Association’s policy or position. The Association makes no representation or guarantee as to their accuracy or reliability. The Association receives funding primarily from individuals; foundations and corporations (including pharmaceutical, device manufacturers and other companies) also make donations and fund specific Association programs and events. The Association has strict policies to prevent these relationships from influencing the science content. Revenues from pharmaceutical and biotech companies, device manufacturers and health insurance providers are available

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The American Stroke Association’s International Stroke Conference (ISC) is the world’s premier meeting dedicated to the science and treatment of cerebrovascular disease. ISC 2021 will be held virtually, March 17-19, 2021. This 3-day conference will feature more than 1,200 compelling presentations in 21 categories that emphasize basic, clinical and translational sciences as they evolve toward a better understanding of stroke pathophysiology with the goal of developing more effective therapies. Engage in the International Stroke Conference on social media via

#ISC21

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About the American Stroke Association

The American Stroke Association is devoted to saving people from stroke — the No. 2 cause of death in the world and a leading cause of serious disability. We team with millions of volunteers to fund innovative research, fight for stronger public health policies and provide lifesaving tools and information to prevent and treat stroke. The Dallas-based association officially launched in 1998 as a division of the American Heart Association. To learn more or to get involved, call 1-888-4STROKE or visit

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