title: Electrical injury during "hands on" defibrillation-A potential risk of internal cardioverter defibrillators?
abstract: Despite clear guidance for the need for rescuers to avoid contact with a patient during external defibrillation, the advice regarding the potential dangers of rescuer contact during the firing of an internal cardioverter defibrillator [ICD] generally implies that such contact is safe. This case report describes documented nerve injury to a rescuer by a shock delivered from an ICD during chest compression on a patient in cardiac arrest. The authors also discuss the existing literature on the subject and make suggestions for future management.
authors.affiliation: Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Beverley
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Stockwell
authors.forename: Gareth
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bellis
authors.forename: Geraint
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Morton
authors.forename: Karen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Chung
authors.forename: W Louis
authors.initials: WL
authors.lastname: Merton
authors.forename: Neil
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Andrews
authors.forename: Gary B
authors.initials: GB
authors.lastname: Smith
mesh_terms: D017147:Defibrillators, Implantable / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004554:Electric Countershock / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004556:Electric Injuries / Q000209:etiology*; D006230:Hand Injuries / Q000209:etiology*; D006323:Heart Arrest / Q000628:therapy*; D006336:Heart Massage; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged