Effect of alcohol intoxication on hemodynamic physiology and outcome in patients with traumatic cardiac tamponade.
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.


CONCLUSIONS
Alcohol intoxication does not have an adverse affect on traumatic cardiac tamponade.
Hewitt
P M
PM
Department of Surgery, Groote Schuur Hospital and University of Cape Town, South Africa.
Hickman
R
R
Knottenbelt
J D
JD
D018806:APACHE; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000435:Alcoholic Intoxication / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology; D001786:Blood Glucose; D002305:Cardiac Tamponade / Q000145:classification / Q000209:etiology* / Q000401:mortality / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D006439:Hemodynamics / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D007773:Lactates / Q000097:blood; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013898:Thoracic Injuries / Q000150:complications; D014193:Trauma Centers; D014950:Wounds, Penetrating / Q000150:complications
D001786:Blood Glucose; D007773:Lactates