title: Electrocution-induced atrial fibrillation: a novel cause of a familiar arrhythmia.
abstract: A previously fit and well 40-year-old man presented to the emergency department with palpitations after suffering an 11 000 volt electrical shock from overhead power cables through a mobile crane which he was operating. His ECG demonstrated the presence of new atrial fibrillation at a rate of 80 beats per min. He was haemodynamically stable, and had otherwise only sustained a small exit burn to his left great toe. Routine blood tests including creatine kinase and troponin T were normal. A bolus of intravenous flecainide failed to restore sinus rhythm, but an amiodarone infusion was successful. An electrical shock is a rare cause of atrial fibrillation. There is no consensus over optimal medical management. Numerous treatment plans have been previously employed with varying degrees of success.
authors.affiliation: Cardiology Department, Musgrove Park Hospital, Somerset, UK. alexanderlangford@googlemail.com
authors.forename: Alex
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Langford
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dayer
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000638:Amiodarone / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D004556:Electric Injuries / Q000150:complications*; D004562:Electrocardiography; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male
chemical_list: D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents; D015415:Biomarkers; D000638:Amiodarone