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

Authors : Mustafa ICER, Yılmaz ZENGİN

Pages : 20-27

View : 40 | Download : 7

Publication Date : 2016-06-15

Article Type : Research Paper

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 insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(TBSA);, organ injuries, Glasgow Coma Score insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(GCS);, serum enzymes, creatine kinase- myocardial band insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(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 insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(range 1-80, median 24); years. Of the participants, 301 insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(%81.4); were male and 69 insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(%18.6); female patients. Gender, occupational accident, burn percentage, burn degree, falling from height, Glasgow Coma Score insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(GCS);, enzymes and complications were significant in terms of low-high voltage difference insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(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 insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(p<0.05);. Among the complications; rhabdomyolysis, hyperkalemia, metabolic and respiratory acidosis, pulmonary hemorrhage and edema were found as the factors influencing mortality insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(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

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