Implantable cardioverter defibrillators save lives from lightning-related electrocution too!
We report an unusual case of a 75-year-old male electrocuted by lightning strike rescued by implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) shock coincidentally. Lightning strikes are an unusual cause of fatal cardiac arrhythmias. Depending on the amount of energy and the current vector affecting the heart, the arrhythmia burden ranges from asystole to ventricular fibrillation.
Kondur
Ashok K
AK
Department of Cardiology, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan, USA.
Afonso
Luis C
LC
Berenbom
Loren D
LD
Lakkireddy
Dhanunjaya R
DR
D000368:Aged; D017147:Defibrillators, Implantable; D006801:Humans; D015168:Lightning Injuries; D008297:Male; D014693:Ventricular Fibrillation / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy*