Introduction. In 2013 there were 387.6 thousands of people registered with traumas in Lithuania. In USA it was determined that traumatic brain injury amounts for 30% (56 thousands of deaths) of all traumas, in Europe trauimatic brain injury amounts for 37% (33 thousands of deaths). One of the most important risk factors is high dose alcohol consumption.
Material and Methods. A retrospective study was accomplished using data form the State Forensic Medicine Service forensic autopsies of victims of head trauma with hard blunt object from 2013 to 2016.
Results. A negative correlation between age and ethyl alcohol concentration in blood was found (r=-0.29, p=0.002). Statistically significant difference was established between ethyl alcohol concentrations in blood in cases of sudden death (2.22±1.3%) and in cases of hospitalization (1.33±1%) (p<0.05). A negative correlation was observed between coma (in scores) and ethyl alcohol concentration in blood (r=-0.36, p=0.01). Between hospitalization time and ethyl alcohol concentration in blood a weak negative correlation was found (r=-0.29, p=0.03). In patients who were drunk average amount of blood under the dura mater was 120.4±70.9 g and in patients who were sober it was 89.7±69.7 g.
Conclusions. A higher concentration of ethyl alcohol in blood after traumatic brain injury is associated with worse prognosis of survival.
