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

Background: Alcohol intoxication has a detrimental effect on hypovolemic sh ock. 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 alco hol > and < 17 mmol/L) were studied. Initial vital signs (trauma scores), s pecial investigations (hematologic profiles, blood gases, glucose, lactate, and catecholamines), clinical progress (24- and 72-hour acute physiology a nd 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 p roportional to the degree of shock and was greater in patients who had "fro nt-room" thoracotomies (p < 0.001). Despite the higher percentage of intoxi cated patients who were "lifeless" or "in extremis" on admission, they fare d no worse than nonintoxicated patients. Conclusion: Alcohol intoxication does not have an adverse affect on traumat ic cardiac tamponade.