Atrial fibrillation and electrical appliance injury

Electrocardiographic changes and cardiac arrhythmias have been reported frequently in patients suffering high tension (greater than 1,000 V) electrical injuries as well as low tension (less than 350 V) electrical injuries. An association of atrial fibrillation with low tension electrical injury from a household appliance, however, has not been described in the recent literature. We describe a patient with atrial fibrillation induced by a shock from a household toaster. Pathophysiologic mechanisms and approach to treatment are reviewed, emphasizing the transient nature of most electrically induced arrhythmias.