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Journal of the National Medical Association logoLink to Journal of the National Medical Association
. 2000 Jan;92(1):39–41.

Nasal toxicity of cocaine: a hypercoagulable effect?

R Patel 1, R Shah 1, S Baredes 1, C R Spillert 1, E J Lazaro 1
PMCID: PMC2640515  PMID: 10800286

Abstract

Nasal insufflation of cocaine injures the nasal mucosa and can perforate the septum. Cocaine-induced vasoconstriction resulting in ischemia is one of the methods that may be responsible for this damage. We are determining whether cocaine also produces a hypercoagulable state that may compound factors which have been previously established to cause damage to the nasal mucosa and septum. This study uses Modified Recalcification Time (MRT), a test developed in our laboratory that has the ability to measure the overall coagulation process. Our study revealed no connection between cocaine and enhanced platelet function or monocyte-released tissue factor. The coagulation process was unaffected by the addition of the drug, so we conclude that cocaine does not cause a hypercoagulable state and cannot assist in the explanation regarding the ischemic changes of the nasal septum.

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