Disseminated intravascular coagulation and acute myocardial necrosis caused by lightning.
A 24-year-old woman was struck by lightning and suffered 20% second degree burns. She was admitted after cardiac and respiratory arrest. Despite intensive supportive care she died 24 h later of cardiogenic shock complicated by disseminated intravascular coagulation. At autopsy there was myocardial necrosis. Disseminated intravascular coagulation and myocardial necrosis are only rarely described as complications of lightning.
D000328:Adult; D004211:Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation / Q000209:etiology*; D004556:Electric Injuries / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008030:Lightning; D009206:Myocardium / Q000473:pathology*; D009336:Necrosis