Anoxic Brain Injury: A Subtle and Often Overlooked Finding in Non-Fatal Intimate Partner Strangulation

Sean Dugan, Michelle Patch, Taman Hoang, Jocelyn C. Anderson

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Background: A paucity of literature exists dedicated to the identification of anoxic brain injury in patients that survive non-fatal intimate partner strangulation (NF-IPS). While some individuals report experiencing symptoms of brain hypoxia followed by a loss of consciousness, other individuals report symptoms of brain hypoxia prior to amnesia, rendering some unable to recall loss of consciousness (LOC). Objective: Using a standardized clinical assessment tool, the purpose of this retrospective analysis is to describe anoxic brain injury symptom prevalence in a sample of patients reporting NF-IPS. Methods: One hundred and ninety-one unique patients, reporting a total of 267 strangulation events, were assessed by a member of the Shasta Community Forensic Care Team utilizing the Strangulation Hypoxia Anoxia Symptom TBI Assessment (SHASTA) tool. The sample is 98% female and includes adult patients ages 18–68. Examination records were categorized based on the presence or absence of hypoxia and anoxia symptoms. This manuscript utilizes the STROBE checklist. Results: Amnesia was reported in 145 of the 267 strangulations (54.3%). Of those, 74 reported LOC (51.0%) while 71 did not recall LOC (49.0%). Conclusions: Within our sample, 49% of patients with amnesia did not recall losing consciousness, demonstrating that LOC is an imperfect measure of anoxia for patients following NF-IPS. Healthcare providers examining NF-IPS patients should inquire about additional symptoms of hypoxia and amnesia, which can be captured on the SHASTA tool.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)e599-e607
JournalJournal of Emergency Medicine
Volume67
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 2024

Keywords

  • amnesia
  • anoxia
  • hypoxia
  • intimate partner violence
  • strangulation

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Emergency Medicine

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