Electrical accident - Electrocution

When injuries are caused by electricity, we talk about "electrical accidents". Electricity injuries are caused by the direct effect of the electric current on the tissues and its conversion into thermal energy. We distinguish three types of electric current according to their origin: domestic current (alternating, low voltage), industrial current (direct, high voltage) and lightning. It is called electrocution when the electrical injuries are caused by domestic or industrial current, as opposed to fulguration when produced by lightning.

Depending on the type of exposure, the route of the current and the time of assistance we will have more or less symptoms and sequelae. The injuries are usually serious with symptoms that vary between suffocation, cardiac arrhythmias including cardiac arrest, burns, alteration of the nervous system and alteration of internal organs; Secondary injuries caused by electric shock may also appear, along with falls from heights and blows. Cognitive defects, pain syndromes, and damage to the sympathetic nervous system are the most common long-term sequelae.

The diagnosis is clinical, and tests will be performed with the determination of cardiac enzymes and an ECG to complete the study. Patients with altered mental status will require a cranial CT-scan or MRI.

Treatment is based on interrupting the current, removing the injured person from the electrical circuit using non-conductive material, quickly initiating CPR, providing treating burn injuries and emergency fluid therapy. In high-voltage injuries, most treatment is surgical with a high rate of amputations and necrotic areas resection, on other words, dead skin.