Electroencephalogram, circulation, and lung function after high-velocity behind armor blunt trauma.
BACKGROUND
Behind armor blunt trauma (BABT) is defined as the nonpenetrating injury resulting from a ballistic impact on personal body armor. The protective vest may impede the projectile, but some of the kinetic energy is transferred to the body, causing internal injuries and occasionally death. The aim in this study was to investigate changes in electroencephalogram (EEG) and physiologic parameters after high-velocity BABT.


METHODS
Eight anesthetized pigs, wearing body armor (including a ceramic plate) on the right side of their thorax, were shot with a 7.62-mm assault rifle (velocity approximately 800 m/s). The shots did not penetrate the armor and these animals were compared with control animals (n = 4), shot with blank ammunition. EEG and several physiologic parameters were thereafter monitored during a 2-hour period after the shot.


RESULTS
All animals survived during the experimental period. Five of the exposed animals showed a temporary effect on EEG. Furthermore, exposed animals displayed decreased cardiac capacity and an impaired oxygenation of the blood. Postmortem examination revealed subcutaneous hematomas and crush injuries to the right lung.


CONCLUSIONS
The results in our animal model indicate that high-velocity BABT induce circulatory and respiratory dysfunction, and in some cases even transient cerebral functional disturbances.
Drobin
Dan
D
Department of Defence Medicine, Swedish Defence Research Agency (FOI), Stockholm, Sweden.
Gryth
Dan
D
Persson
Jonas K E
JK
Rocksén
David
D
Arborelius
Ulf P
UP
Olsson
Lars-Gunnar
LG
Bursell
Jenny
J
Kjellström
B Thomas
BT
D000818:Animals; D002560:Cerebrovascular Circulation; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004569:Electroencephalography; D044709:Forensic Ballistics; D055370:Lung Injury; D010101:Oxygen Consumption / Q000502:physiology; D011312:Pressure; D011336:Probability; D011481:Protective Clothing; D011897:Random Allocation; D012016:Reference Values; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D013552:Swine; D013898:Thoracic Injuries / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D014948:Wounds, Gunshot / Q000150:complications*; D014949:Wounds, Nonpenetrating / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology