[Late arrhythmias following accidental electric shock?]

Long-term continuous ECG monitoring was undertaken in 31 males and 4 females, aged 17-75 years (33.1 +/- 14 years), hospitalized after accidental electric shock (25 at work, 10 at home). In all cases the voltage had been below 1000 V. ECG monitoring lasted for at least 24 hours (mean of 43.2 +/- 21 hours), in nine patients for 48 hours. In 31 patients no abnormalities were recorded, but in four the ECG registered complex arrhythmias already on the first record. But in only one of the latter was the arrhythmia clearly due to the electric shock. There were no late arrhythmias. It is concluded that long-term ECG monitoring is not required after electric shock if the initial ECG is normal.