A Case of Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation after Electric Injury / 대한내과학회지

ABSTRACT

Electrical injuries can cause cardiac abnormalities, ranging from dysrhythmias to myocardial infarction. Atrial fibrillation after electrical injury is extremely rare. The mechanisms underlying electrical current-induced arrhythmias are unclear. However, due to differences in electrical resistance, current travels preferentially along blood vessels and nerves, making the heart the most susceptible organ to electrical injury. Cardiac arrhythmias may occur at the time of electrical injury or later, but most occur within the first day of injury. Almost all patients described in previous reports with atrial fibrillation developed the condition after high voltage injuries (> 1,000 V). In our case, however, atrial fibrillation developed after a low voltage injury (220 V). Atrial fibrillation was detected and the rate was controlled with intravenous digoxin infusion. A normal sinus rhythm was restored 21 h after the electrical injury.