Low-voltage electricity-induced lung injury

Area of Science:

• Medicine
• Toxicology
• Pulmonology

Background:

• Electrical injuries are a significant cause of morbidity and mortality.
• Pulmonary complications following electrical exposure are typically associated with cardiac arrest or severe burns.

Observation:

• A 58-year-old agricultural worker experienced bilateral pulmonary infiltrates and hemoptysis after a 220V electrical shock while in water.
• The patient was initially asymptomatic for 10 hours post-exposure.
• Initial cardiac and coagulation evaluations were normal.

Findings:

• Chest imaging revealed bilateral infiltrates, ground-glass opacities, and interstitial thickening, indicative of lung injury.
• The patient was diagnosed with electricity-induced lung injury and rhabdomyolysis.
• Treatment included tranexamic acid for bleeding and fluid resuscitation for rhabdomyolysis.

Implications:

• This case suggests that significant bilateral lung injury, including edema, can occur after electrical exposure even in the absence of cardiac arrest.
• It underscores the importance of considering pulmonary complications in patients with electrical injuries, regardless of cardiac status.
• Further research is needed to understand the mechanisms of non-cardiogenic pulmonary injury following electrical exposure.