title: Lightning injuries: prognostic signs for death.
abstract: A chi-square analysis of 66 cases, including the author's eight cases and 58 from the literature, was undertaken to determine prognostic signs for death in patients seriously injured by lightning. A review of the injuries and of the physics and pathophysiology of lightning is presented. Prognosis was poor for those victims suffering leg burns (mortality 30%), cranial burns (37%), or cardiopulmonary arrest (76%). Death occurred in 30% of the cases studied. Permanent sequelae were found in 74% of the survivors. Nonsignificant factors were age, sex, and trunk and arm burns. Resuscitation of victims exhibiting loss of consciousness should begin immediately, as these are the most likely to die.
mesh_terms: D002058:Burns, Electric / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006259:Craniocerebral Trauma / Q000209:etiology / Q000401:mortality; D004560:Electricity; D006323:Heart Arrest / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D007869:Leg Injuries / Q000209:etiology / Q000401:mortality; D008030:Lightning; D011379:Prognosis; D014474:Unconsciousness / Q000209:etiology