Recurrent ventricular tachyarrhythmias associated with QT prolongation following hydrofluoric acid burns

Some hydrofluoric acid burns appear initially as only a slight wound, but patients may show dramatic changes within several hours. The extent of such burns are directly related to the concentration, amount, and duration of exposure.

A 64-year-old man sustained 44% total body surface burns after exposure to 30% hydrofluoric acid. Approximately 5 h after injury, he developed recurrent ventricular tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation which occurred in conjunction with long QT syndrome. In this case, the occurrence of hypocalcemia and especially hypomagnesemia played an important role in the development of long QT syndrome.