Cannabis use did not worsen outcomes for 7.3 million heart procedure patients
Among 7.3 million patients who underwent coronary stenting, cannabis users had no worse in-hospital outcomes and actually had lower rates of vascular complications.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
In a national database of 7,306,012 PCI patients (2004-2014), 32,765 cannabis misusers had no significant differences in in-hospital mortality (OR 1.06), bleeding (OR 0.94), or stroke (OR 1.19) compared to non-users after adjustment. Cannabis users actually had significantly lower odds of vascular complications (OR 0.73, p=0.004).
Key Numbers
7,306,012 total patients; 32,765 cannabis misusers (0.4%); cannabis users were younger (49.5 vs 64.6 years); no difference in mortality, bleeding, or stroke; lower vascular complications (OR 0.73).
How They Did This
Retrospective analysis of the National Inpatient Sample (2004-2014) comparing in-hospital outcomes after percutaneous coronary intervention between cannabis misusers and non-users, adjusting for health status proxies.
Why This Research Matters
Concerns about cannabis and cardiovascular risk are common, but few studies have examined outcomes after cardiac procedures. This massive dataset found no evidence of worse outcomes.
The Bigger Picture
The finding that cannabis users had comparable or better procedural outcomes challenges assumptions about cannabis and acute cardiovascular risk. However, the younger age of cannabis users likely contributes to the favorable profile.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
Observational database study; cannabis misuse identified by ICD codes (likely underreported); cannot distinguish type, frequency, or route of cannabis use; cannabis users were significantly younger, which may confound results despite adjustment.
Questions This Raises
- ?Would outcomes differ if cannabis users were age-matched to non-users?
- ?Does the route of cannabis consumption (smoking vs. edibles) affect cardiovascular procedural outcomes?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- 7.3 million patients: no worse outcomes for cannabis users after coronary stenting
- Evidence Grade:
- Strong: massive national database with over 7 million patients and appropriate statistical adjustments, published in peer-reviewed clinical journal.
- Study Age:
- Published 2020.
- Original Title:
- Rates, predictors and the impact of cannabis misuse on in-hospital outcomes among patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (from the National Inpatient Sample).
- Published In:
- International journal of clinical practice, 74(5), e13477 (2020)
- Authors:
- Kwok, Chun Shing, Alraies, M Chadi, Mohamed, Mohamed, Rashid, Muhammad, Shoaib, Ahmad, Nolan, James, Ratib, Karim, Khoo, Chee W, Kontopantelis, Evangelos, Mamas, Mamas A
- Database ID:
- RTHC-02664
Evidence Hierarchy
Looks back at existing records to find patterns.
What do these levels mean? →Frequently Asked Questions
Did cannabis use increase the risk of dying during heart procedures?
No. Among 7.3 million patients, cannabis users had no significant increase in in-hospital mortality after coronary stenting compared to non-users.
Were cannabis users different from non-users in this study?
Yes. Cannabis users were significantly younger (average 49.5 vs. 64.6 years), more likely male, and less likely to be admitted electively, which may partly explain the comparable outcomes.
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Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-02664APA
Kwok, Chun Shing; Alraies, M Chadi; Mohamed, Mohamed; Rashid, Muhammad; Shoaib, Ahmad; Nolan, James; Ratib, Karim; Khoo, Chee W; Kontopantelis, Evangelos; Mamas, Mamas A. (2020). Rates, predictors and the impact of cannabis misuse on in-hospital outcomes among patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (from the National Inpatient Sample).. International journal of clinical practice, 74(5), e13477. https://doi.org/10.1111/ijcp.13477
MLA
Kwok, Chun Shing, et al. "Rates, predictors and the impact of cannabis misuse on in-hospital outcomes among patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (from the National Inpatient Sample).." International journal of clinical practice, 2020. https://doi.org/10.1111/ijcp.13477
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "Rates, predictors and the impact of cannabis misuse on in-ho..." RTHC-02664. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/kwok-2020-rates-predictors-and-the
Access the Original Study
Study data sourced from PubMed, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health.
This study breakdown was produced by the RethinkTHC research team. We analyze and report published research findings without making health recommendations. All interpretations are based solely on the published abstract and study data.