TY  - JOUR
PY  - 1999//
TI  - Effect of alcohol intoxication on hemodynamic physiology and outcome in patients with traumatic cardiac tamponade
JO  - Journal of trauma
A1  - Hewitt, P. M.
A1  - Hickman, R.
A1  - Knottenbelt, J. D.
SP  - 346
EP  - 351
VL  - 47
IS  - 2
N2  - BACKGROUND: Alcohol intoxication has a detrimental effect on hypovolemic shock. Our aim, was to study its effects on "pure" 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 "front-room" thoracotomies (p < 0.001). Despite the higher percentage of intoxicated patients who were "lifeless" or "in extremis" 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>
LA  - en
SN  - 0022-5282
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/
ID  - ref1
ER  -