title: Persistent vegetative state in electrical injuries: a 10-year review.
abstract: We reviewed 148 cases of electrical injury admitted to our burn centre. The incidence of persistent vegetative state was 3% (n=5), higher in the low-voltage (6.7%) than in high-voltage group (1.2%). At the time of trauma, 44% (n=65) lost consciousness and 50% of these (n=32) received cardiopulmonary resuscitation on arrival at hospital. Of these, 50% recovered (n=16), 22% became comatose (n=7) and 28% (n=9) died. Of the seven comatose patients, five did not show brain oedema but remained in a persistent vegetative state; this state was more common with low-voltage electrical injuries. The public should be warned of this effect of low-voltage trauma.
authors.affiliation: National Taiwan University Hospital Burn Centre, 7 Chung San South Road, Taipei, Taiwan. eky1828@ha.mc.ntu.edu.tw
authors.forename: E-K
authors.initials: EK
authors.lastname: Yeong
authors.forename: H F
authors.initials: HF
authors.lastname: Huang
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001929:Brain Edema / Q000209:etiology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004556:Electric Injuries / Q000150:complications*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018458:Persistent Vegetative State / Q000209:etiology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D014474:Unconsciousness / Q000209:etiology; D055815:Young Adult