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Pathophysiology and management of electrocution 

Pathophysiology and management of electrocution
Chapter:
Pathophysiology and management of electrocution
Author(s):

Jeffrey S. Neiger

and Richard G. Trohman

DOI:
10.1093/med/9780199600830.003.0349
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date: 16 October 2021

Electrocution is a common source of morbidity and mortality, primarily affecting young children through accidents in the home and adults through occupational exposure. A familiarity with the basic principles of electrical physics helps elucidate the typical injuries sustained following electrical shock. Although death is a frequent result, patients successfully resuscitated following initial cardiopulmonary arrest often have a favourable prognosis. Survivors of electrocution may suffer injuries to a variety of organ systems, including the skin, cardiovascular system, and nervous system, and are generally treated in specialized burn units. Such patients are considered trauma patients, and should be treated accordingly. Determination of prognosis is often difficult, because the full extent of injury from electric shock is not always initially apparent.

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