Blood Ethanol Levels Are Not Related to Coagulation Changes, as Measured by Thromboelastography, in Traumatic Brain Injury Patients.

Background: Brain injury is a leading cause of death and disability in trauma patients. Ethanol (EtOH) use near the time of injury may contribute to worse outcomes in these patients by exacerbating coagulopathy. There are limited data regarding the effects of EtOH on coagulation and progression of traumatic intracranial hemorrhage (TICH).

Moderate elevations in international normalized ratio should not lead to delays in neurosurgical intervention in patients with traumatic brain injury.

Background: The management of severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) frequently involves invasive intracranial monitoring or cranial surgery. In our institution, intracranial procedures are often deferred until an international normalized ratio (INR) of less than 1.4 is achieved.