[Incidence of pathologic ECG findings in survivors of electric accidents]

ECGs of 320 male survivors of electrical accidents were examined. The results were compared with findings in normal populations reported in previous epidemiological studies. 243/320 electrocardiograms (75.9%) were considered to be normal. In 42/320 (13.2%) unspecific electrocardiographic changes were seen, and in 35/320 (10.9%) abnormal ECGs were found. No significant accumulation of ECG changes was observed in comparison to the control groups. Results confirm abnormal ECG-findings to be rare in humans who sustain non-fatal electrical injury. If an ECG is considered to be abnormal, a causal relationship is only probable if findings are documented immediately after injury, and if serial ECT controls demonstrate significant changes in comparison to the initial abnormality.