[Arterial thrombosis caused by electric injury]

A thrombosis of the axillary artery was discovered in a 36 year old man, four days after electrocution. It was treated successfully by venous bypass. The case was then compared with five similar cases in the literature. The damaged arteries were situated in the area crossed by the electric current. The artery was normal above and below the thrombosis. The thrombosis was accompanied by parietal lesions. The development of the collateral circulation explains the absence of signs of acute ischemia. The pathogenic medico-legal and therapeutic aspects of these thromboses by electrocution are then discussed.