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. 2017 Aug;6(3):114-117.
doi: 10.15420/aer.2017:7:3.

Cardiac Effects of Lightning Strikes

Theodoros Christophides  1 , Sarosh Khan  2 , Mahmood Ahmad  3 , Hossam Fayed  3 , Richard Bogle  2
Affiliations

Cardiac Effects of Lightning Strikes

Theodoros Christophides et al. Arrhythm Electrophysiol Rev. 2017 Aug.

Abstract

Lightning strikes are a common and leading cause of morbidity and mortality. Multiple organ systems can be involved, though the effects of the electrical current on the cardiovascular system are one of the main modes leading to cardiorespiratory arrest in these patients. Cardiac effects of lightning strikes can be transient or persistent, and include benign or life-threatening arrhythmias, inappropriate therapies from cardiac implantable electronic devices, cardiac ischaemia, myocardial contusion, pericardial disease, aortic injury, as well as cardiomyopathy with associated ventricular failure. Prolonged resuscitation can lead to favourable outcomes especially in young and previously healthy victims.

Keywords: Lightning strike; arrhythmia; cardiac implantable electronic devices; cardiopulmonary arrest; myocardial injury.

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Conflict of interest statement

Disclosure: The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.

Figures

Figure 1:
Figure 1:. Summary of the Cardiac Effects of Lightning Strikes
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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