Electrical Injury-Induced Complete Atrioventricular Block: Is Permanent Pacemaker Required?

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Occupational Health
• Electrophysiology

Background:

• Electrical injuries frequently occur during work activities, posing significant risks to cardiovascular health.
• Common cardiovascular complications include myocardial necrosis, ischemia, heart failure, and various arrhythmias.
• Ventricular fibrillation is a primary cause of mortality following electrical injury, particularly from low-voltage alternating current.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report a rare case of complete atrioventricular block secondary to low voltage electrical injury.
• To emphasize the potential for reversible cardiac conduction abnormalities after electrical trauma.
• To highlight the importance of considering electrical injury in the differential diagnosis of heart blocks.

Main Methods:

• Case report presentation.
• Review of patient's medical history and clinical presentation following electrical injury.
• Electrocardiogram (ECG) analysis to assess cardiac rhythm and conduction abnormalities.

Main Results:

• The patient, a young electrical technician, sustained a low voltage electrical injury.
• Developed a complete atrioventricular block, a rare complication of electrical trauma.
• The atrioventricular block was reversible, indicating a non-permanent cardiac effect.

Conclusions:

• Low voltage electrical injuries can precipitate severe, yet potentially reversible, cardiac conduction disturbances like complete atrioventricular block.
• Prompt recognition and management are crucial for patients with cardiac complications after electrical exposure.
• This case underscores the need for vigilance regarding cardiac effects in occupational electrical injuries.