Electrical Injuries
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Transcript Electrical Injuries
Electrical Injuries
CHRIS PONDER
PGY 3
No Disclosures
Objectives
Epidemiology
Physics
Classification of Injury
Mechanisms of Injury
Electrical Weapons
Management
Epidemiology
Electrical burns account for 3-4% of all burns
> 3000 admissions to burn units annually
Burns in Children are accidental
< 6 are electoral cords or outlets
Oral burns are common
> 6 are power lines while climbing
Burns in Adults are work related
2nd leading cause of occupational deaths
>90% male victims
Definitions
Current (I)
Volume of Electrons travelling between two points every second
Voltage (V)
The force that drives the electrons across the potential difference
High Voltage is > 1000V
Low Voltage is < 1000V
Resistance (R)
The hindrance to the flow of electrons
Current
Alternating Current
Direct Current
Direction changes cyclically
Found in households, businesses,
industries
Direction of the current remains
constant
Batteries, Railroads, Cars, Lightning
Household current is 60hz
Physics
Ohm’s Law
Voltage (V) = Current (I) x Resistance (R)
V=IxR
Joule’s Law of Heating
Heat (P) = Current (I) x Voltage (V) x Time of contact (t)
P=IxVxt
P = I² x R x t
Resistance
P = I² x R x t
Heat and Resistance are proportional
Greatest to least resistance
1.
Bone
2.
Fat
3.
Tendon
4.
Skin
5.
Muscle
6.
Blood Vessels
7.
Nerves
High or Low Voltage
High or Low Voltage
High or Low Voltage
High or Low Voltage
High or Low Voltage
High or Low Voltage
Mechanisms of Injury
1.
2.
Direct effect on tissues
1.
Arrhythmias
2.
Apnea
Blunt mechanical injuries
1.
Muscle contraction
2.
Falls
3.
Conversion of electrical to thermal energy
4.
Electroporation
1.
Disruption of cell membrane
2.
Loss of ion gradient
Respiratory
Inhibition of CNS Respiratory Drive
Paralysis of Respiratory Muscles
Cardiorespiratory arrest from V.Fib or Asystole
Cardiovascular
Arrhythmias
V. Fib most common from AC
Asystole most common from DC or high-voltage AC
Conduction Abnormalities
Sinus Bradycardia
High degree AV blocks
Myocardial Injury
From electro-thermal conversion and electroporation
Ck-MB is often elevated, Troponin not well studied in this setting
Vascular Injuries include coagulation and aneurysm formation
Neurological
Loss of Consciousness
Autonomic Dysfunction
Respiratory Depression
Memory Loss
Sensorineural Hearing Loss
Skin
1.
Electro-thermal burns
2.
Arc burns
3.
Flame burns
Electro-thermal burns
Arc Burns
Flame Burns
Musculoskeletal
Joint dislocation
Muscular Thermal Injury
Rhabdomyolysis
Compartment Syndrome
Electrical Weapons
Electrical Weapons
NO evidence of dangerous lab abnormalities, physiologic changes,
immediate or delayed cardiac ischemia or arrhythmia for exposures
15 seconds or less
No need for diagnostic testing in otherwise asymptomatic alert
patients
Fatal arrhythmia has been reported in some cases
Concurrent intoxication with cocaine, PCP, Meth can increase risk
Preexisting cardiovascular disease may increase risk
Injuries may occur after falling from being stunned
Management
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation
Most victims are young and have good outcomes
Prolonged CPR regardless of initial rhythm
In mass casualty events triage protocols should be reversed
Cardiac Assessment
Evaluation with ECG AT LEAST for every High Voltage injury
Hemodynamic monitoring as high incidence of arrhythmia
CK-MB is poor and Troponin has not been studied
Management
Fluid Resuscitation
Burn percentage is severely underestimated
Parkland formula can not be used
Maintain UOP > 1cc/kg/hr for adults
Abdominal Compartment Syndrome
Gastrointestinal Injuries
Rare, however case reports of perforations
Vascular injuries
Disposition
High voltage injuries
Disposition based on injuries
If asymptomatic STILL 12-24 hours of cardiac monitor
Low voltage injuries
Disposition based on injuries
If asymptomatic no tests required and can be discharged
Sources
Chalkias A, Iacovidou N, Xanthos T. Continuous chest compression pediatric
cardiopulmonary resuscitation after witnessed electrocution. Am J Emerg Med.
2014;32:(6)686.e1-2. [pubmed]
Marques EG, Júnior GA, Neto BF, et al. Visceral injury in electrical shock trauma:
proposed guideline for the management of abdominal electrocution and
literature review. Int J Burns Trauma. 2014;4:(1)1-6. [pubmed]
Schwarz ES, Barra M, Liao MM. Successful resuscitation of a patient in asystole
after a TASER injury using a hypothermia protocol. Am J Emerg Med.
2009;27:(4)515.e1-2. [pubmed]
Spies C, Trohman RG. Narrative review: Electrocution and life-threatening
electrical injuries. Ann Intern Med. 2006;145:(7)531-7. [pubmed]
Rechtin C, Jones JS. Best evidence topic reports. Bet 2: Cardiac monitoring in
adults after taser discharge. Emerg Med J. 2009;26:(9)666-7. [pubmed] Roberts S,
Meltzer JA. An evidence-based approach to electrical injuries in children.
Pediatr Emerg Med Pract. 2013;10:(9)1-16; quiz 16-7. [pubmed]