Extensive pectoral muscle necrosis after defibrillation: nonthermal skeletal muscle damage caused by electroporation.
A 37-year-old Italian male developed a myocardial infarct with subsequent ventricular fibrillation. He was defibrillated seven times with up to 360 Joules. Thirteen days later the patient died of recurrent myocardial infarct due to thrombotic occlusion of the left circumflex coronary artery. At autopsy, necrosis of the right pectoralis muscle was observed. Electroporation is the pathogenetic mechanism of skeletal muscle damage due to multiple defibrillations with high energy levels.
Institute of Pathology, University of Tübingen, Germany. uhvogel@med.uni-tuebingen.de
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Vogel
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Wanner
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Bültmann
D000328:Adult; D002058:Burns, Electric / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D004554:Electric Countershock / Q000009:adverse effects*; D018274:Electroporation; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000293:injuries* / Q000473:pathology; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000150:complications*; D009336:Necrosis; D012008:Recurrence; D013898:Thoracic Injuries / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D013997:Time Factors; D014693:Ventricular Fibrillation / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy*