Sildenafil and Cerebrovascular Accident in A 33-year-old Man: A Case Report From Buea Regional Hospital, Cameroon

Abstract

Sildenafil increases cerebral blood flow and is even good for patients with ischaemic stroke because it is a vasodilator, but it is bad for people with risk factors for haemorrhagic stroke. A 33-year-old man was admitted in our intensive care unit in a comatose state, following a relapse of brain haemorrhage. The family reported that he was a smoker, alcoholic, and Tramadol consumer. He had had seizures followed by coma with left hemiplegia two weeks before admission in our unit after taking 600mg of sildenafil (Viagra). He was initially hospitalized in a clinic before referral to our unit for better management of severe respiratory distress in coma. A cerebral CT scan revealed intraventricular haemorrhage and cerebral oedema classified Fisher 4. The patient was managed with Nimodipine, oxygen therapy, antibiotics and supportive care. Unfortunately, the family had difficulties in purchasing the required medications and the patient died on the seventh day of hospitalization. Sildenafil in high doses probably induce cerebrovascular accidents that can be fatal, especially if it is associated with alcohol abuse, smoking, and Tramadol. This case highlights the fatal outcome of Sildenafil abuse and serves as a warning to users of unprescribed doses.