@article{ref1,
title="Effect of alcohol intoxication on hemodynamic physiology and outcome in patients with traumatic cardiac tamponade",
journal="Journal of trauma",
year="1999",
author="Hewitt, P. M. and Hickman, R. and Knottenbelt, J. D.",
volume="47",
number="2",
pages="346-351",
abstract="BACKGROUND: Alcohol intoxication has a detrimental effect on hypovolemic shock. Our aim, was to study its effects on &quot;pure&quot; cardiac tamponade (i.e., without hypovolemia) in patients with penetrating chest injuries. METHODS: Thirty-five intoxicated and 15 nonintoxicated patients (blood alcohol > and < 17 mmol/L) were studied. Initial vital signs (trauma scores), special investigations (hematologic profiles, blood gases, glucose, lactate, and catecholamines), clinical progress (24- and 72-hour acute physiology and chronic health evaluation II scores) and outcome were compared. RESULTS: Intoxicated patients were older (p = 0.02) and more tachypneic on admission (p = 0.006), but no other differences were noted. Mortality was proportional to the degree of shock and was greater in patients who had &quot;front-room&quot; thoracotomies (p < 0.001). Despite the higher percentage of intoxicated patients who were &quot;lifeless&quot; or &quot;in extremis&quot; on admission, they fared no worse than nonintoxicated patients. CONCLUSION: Alcohol intoxication does not have an adverse affect on traumatic cardiac tamponade.<p /><p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="0022-5282",
doi="",
url="http://dx.doi.org/"
}