HEMATOLOGIC EFFECTS OF ETHANOL-CONSUMPTION IN TRAUMA PATIENTS

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effects of ethanol (EtOH) ingestion by tra uma patients on the hematologic system as evidenced by coagulation abn ormalities and transfusion requirements. DESIGN: Retrospective chart r eview. The injury severity score (ISS) was determined for each patient . Patients were grouped according to presence of EtOH (+EtOH) and abse nce of EtOH (-EtOH) with further subdivision based on an ISS less-than -or-equal-to 8 or greater-than-or-equal-to 9. SETTING: University medi cal center. PATIENTS: All adult trauma patients admitted during a one- month period. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The volume of resuscitation fluid s (including blood products) administered, laboratory parameters indic ative of bleeding, and length of stay. RESULTS: Of 104 evaluable patie nts, 38 had measurable EtOH concentrations, 46 had undetectable EtOH c oncentrations, and the remaining 20 patients had not been tested. Alth ough isolated, statistically significant differences were found among groups for some of the outcome measures, there were no clinically impo rtant differences. CONCLUSIONS: EtOH ingestion prior to injury did not appear to cause significant alterations in the hematologic system of trauma patients, but a larger study is needed to confirm these finding s.