Clinical Effects of Voltage Difference and The Factors Affecting Mortality in Electrical Injuries

Authors : Mustafa Icer, Yılmaz Zengin

Pages : 20-27

View : 16 | Download : 8

Publication Date : 2016-06-15

Article Type : Research

Abstract :Background: The objective of this study is to examine electrical injuries according to high and low voltages and to investigate the factors affecting mortality. Methods: In this study, 370 patients presented with electrical injuries were retrospectively examined. Data in this study included age, gender, cause of electric shock, type of electric shock, electric voltage, falling down from height, burn degree, total burn surface area (TBSA), organ injuries, Glasgow Coma Score (GCS), serum enzymes, creatine kinase- myocardial band (CK-MB), troponin T), developing complications and cardiac arrhythmias. These parameters were compared in terms of low/high voltage electrical injuries and mortality. P values ≤0.05 were considered statistically significant. Results: The mean age was found as 25.81±14.41 (range 1-80, median 24) years. Of the participants, 301 (%81.4) were male and 69 (%18.6) female patients. Gender, occupational accident, burn percentage, burn degree, falling from height, Glasgow Coma Score (GCS), enzymes and complications were significant in terms of low-high voltage difference (p<0.05). In the present study; suicide, the difference of low-high voltage, 3rd degree burn, low GSC and elevation of LDH, ALT, AST, CK and troponin enzymes were the factors affecting mortality (p<0.05). Among the complications; rhabdomyolysis, hyperkalemia, metabolic and respiratory acidosis, pulmonary hemorrhage and edema were found as the factors influencing mortality (p<0.05). Conclusion: To distinguish electrical injury according to low-high voltage difference at the time of first presentation is important in determination of prognosis and mortality. Furthermore suicide cases, 3rd degree burns and elevated levels of LDH, ALT, AST, CK and troponin T enzymes are important in order to predict mortality. 
Keywords : Electrical injury, low voltage, high voltage, mortality.