Alcohol and trauma: the critical link

Abstract

The link between traumatic injury and alcohol consumption is strong. Although statistics vary, from one half to one third of trauma victims admitted to critical care units have an alcohol-related injury. The initial role of the critical care nurse is to identify the presence of alcohol by monitoring the patient's BAC. Once the presence of alcohol is confirmed, its effects impact directly on the plan of care that evolves during the critical illness. Nursing interventions focus on four specific areas affected by alcohol: the ability of alcohol to mask injury, the effects of alcohol on medications, alcohol withdrawal, and rehabilitation from alcoholism. By incorporating these four areas into the plan of care, the critical care nurse assists the patient not only to recover from a traumatic injury but also to deal with a problem drinking pattern.

Novel 14S,21‐dihydroxy‐docosahexaenoic acid rescues wound healing and associated angiogenesis impaired by acute ethanol intoxication/exposure

“…Acute ethanol intoxication and exposure (AE) has been reported to significantly impair wound healing and associated angiogenesis [Radek et al, 2005, 2008; Bird et al, 2009]. Many patients hospitalized for traumatic wounds have AE associated with their injuries [Rivara et al, 1993; Sommers, 1994; Radek et al, 2008]. Angiogenesis or formation of new vessels is paramount for supplying blood for optimal healing [Li et al, 2003; Velazquez, 2007], and this is achieved through the processes including endothelial cell (EC) migration and vascularization.…”