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Clinical Trial
. 2008 May;26(4):413-8.
doi: 10.1016/j.ajem.2007.06.021.

Neurologic and neuropsychological symptoms during the first year after an electric shock: results of a prospective multicenter study

Benoit Bailey  1 , Pierre Gaudreault, Robert L Thivierge
Affiliations
Clinical Trial

Neurologic and neuropsychological symptoms during the first year after an electric shock: results of a prospective multicenter study

Benoit Bailey et al. Am J Emerg Med. 2008 May.

Abstract

Objectives: To assess the prevalence of neurologic and neuropsychological symptoms in the short-term and 1 year after an electric shock and to explore whether any of these were associated with risk factors.

Methods: Patients presenting to one of 21 EDs between October 2000 and November 2004 were eligible to be enrolled in a prospective observational study after an electric shock if they had risk factors for late arrhythmias. Telephone follow-up was done to evaluate the appearance of symptoms.

Results: A total of 30 (26%) of 114 patients complained of neurologic or neuropsychological symptoms at a median of 52 days post-electric shock. At 1 year, 24 (28%) of 86 patients complained of neurologic or neuropsychological symptoms. None of the risk factors evaluated were associated with the symptoms.

Conclusion: The prevalence of the symptoms we observed should alarm all emergency physicians that the effect of electricity can cause late neurologic and neuropsychological manifestations.

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