Abstract
Objective: To describe fulminant hepatic failure in a man following cocaine overdose as a result of an acquired mitochondrial defect.
Design: Case report.
Patients: One patient admitted to the emergency room following cocaine abuse. The patient deteriorated into multi-organ failure requiring inotropic, ventilatory and renal support.
Intervention: Multi-organ support and liver transplantation.
Conclusions: Hepatotoxicity was initially thought to be hyperthermic or due to direct cocaine hepatotoxicity; post mortem results demonstrate significant evidence to support an acquired mitochondrial defect.