Clenbuterol and anabolic steroids: a previously unreported cause of myocardial infarction with normal coronary arteriograms

South Med J. 1998 Aug;91(8):780-4.

Abstract

During the last 10 years, several cases of myocardial infarction associated with anabolic steroid use have been reported. Postulated mechanisms to explain this association have included changes in lipid levels, the fibrinolytic system, and platelet aggregation. Clenbuterol is a beta 2-agonist with anabolic properties that has not been seen previously with myocardial infarction. We report a case of myocardial infarction in an otherwise healthy 26-year-old body-builder who recently used clenbuterol and anabolic steroids. In this case, synergistic effects of the two agents seem likely to have played a role in the infarct. The normal coronary arteriograms before any anticoagulant or thrombolytic therapy strongly suggest coronary spasm as the mechanism of the infarct.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adrenergic beta-Agonists / adverse effects*
  • Adult
  • Anabolic Agents / adverse effects*
  • Clenbuterol / adverse effects*
  • Coronary Angiography*
  • Drug Synergism
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Methandrostenolone / adverse effects
  • Myocardial Infarction / chemically induced*
  • Myocardial Infarction / diagnostic imaging*
  • Stanozolol / adverse effects
  • Substance-Related Disorders / complications*
  • Testosterone / adverse effects
  • Testosterone / analogs & derivatives

Substances

  • Adrenergic beta-Agonists
  • Anabolic Agents
  • Testosterone
  • Stanozolol
  • testosterone enanthate
  • Methandrostenolone
  • testosterone 17 beta-cypionate
  • Clenbuterol