Atrial fibrillation in a healthy adolescent after heavy smoking of contraband cigarettes
Aug 11, 2015
From: International Journal of Adolescent Medicine and Health
1Department of Pediatric Cardiology, Mehmet Akif Ersoy Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery Center and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey
2Department of Cardiology, Mehmet Akif Ersoy Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery Center and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey
Corresponding author: Isa Ozyilmaz, Halkali Merkez Mah., Turgut Özal Bulvarı No: 16, Avrupa Konutları Atakent-3, Blok: 19 Daire: 61, Küçükçekmece, Istanbul, 34303, Turkey, Phone: + 90 212 692 00 00-1134, Fax: + 90 212 471 94 94, E-mail: (email)
Abstract
The use of contraband cigarettes is a serious public health problem. We present a case of atrial fibrillation in a healthy adolescent suspected to be caused by smoking contraband cigarettes. A 15-year-old man was admitted to our emergency department experiencing syncope and palpitations. He was a cigarette smoker, but he had never smoked any illicit tobacco products before. He had finished a pack of counterfeit cigarettes (20 pieces) in 1.5 h. His electrocardiogram showed atrial fibrillation with a rapid ventricular response and irregular RR intervals. The patient had no history of alcohol use, surgery, palpitations, hypertension, chronic bronchitis, or any infectious diseases. His atrial fibrillation was converted to a normal sinus rhythm after the cardioversion treatment. Our patient was discharged from the pediatric cardiology service and advised to quit smoking cigarettes, strictly warning against illicit tobacco products. In conclusion, intensive smoking of counterfeit cigarettes may lead to occurrences of atrial fibrillation.
