Synthetic Cannabinoids and Cardiac Arrhythmia Risk: Review of the Literature.

Synthetic cannabinoids (SCBs) are widely used recreational substances especially among adults. Although they have been considered as safe during the marketing process, our knowledge about their adverse effects has evolved since years. SCBs are associated with various cardiac events including acute myocardial infarction and sudden cardiac death. There is also growing evidence that SCBs are associated with cardiac arrhythmia development both in acute and chronic exposure. SCBs have been shown to be associated with both supraventricular and ventricular arrhythmias. However, the exact mechanism of the SCB related arrhythmia remains unknown. Understanding the exact association and possible mechanisms may help us to identify high risk patients at an early stage and to develop treatment modalities to prevent or reverse the arrhythmic effects of SCBs.