[Causes of death in lightning strokes (author's transl)]

On the basis of the literature and of their own investigations, including animal experimentation, the authors attempt to show the possible causes of death following lightning strokes. Animal experiments give evidence of the important role of cardiac arrhythmias, in particular of asystolia and ventricular fibrillation. Cardiac arrest, respiratory standstill, burns, fractures, mechanical lesions of internal organs and hemorrhages are stated as causes of death. Moreover, autopsy fails to reveal recognizable changes in some of the victims.