Electrical Injury and Prolonged Cardiac Arrest: A Case Report of Complete Neurological Recovery
Survival from the out of the hospital cardiac arrest is less than 15% and it is even very low
in developing nations. Out of hospital cardiac arrest has poor outcome compared to those
occurring in a healthcare setup due to lack of awareness and appropriate resources.
We described here a case of a young adult male who sustained electrical shock injury
while crossing the road, followed by cardiac arrest which was revived by prolonged effective
cardiopulmonary resuscitation resulting in a complete neurological recovery.
A 19-years male was witnessed by lay bystanders to have become unresponsive following contact
with an electric lighting pole on the road median. A passer-by medical resident detected no pulse
and initiated chest compressions.
The patient was immediately rushed to the nearest hospital and CPR was continued during
the transport. Patient was received in Emergency Department and current American College of Cardiology
American Heart Association Advanced Cardiac Life Support PROTOCOLS were followed.
Ventricular fibrillation was noted on rhythm assessment and direct-current shock of 200 J was
delivered, followed by continuation of CPR. By this time, Airway was secured with endotracheal
tube of appropriate size. After 4 boluses of adrenaline, Amiodorane 150 mg infusion and also 4
times of DC shock, the patient had the return of spontaneous
circulation around 26-minutes into the resuscitation.
Then, noradrenaline and adrenaline infusions were started and the patient was shifted to
the intensive care unit. Patient was connected to mechanical ventilation in ICU,
central line and arterial line were secured.
Emerg Med Open J. 2020; 6(1): 3-5. doi: 10.17140/EMOJ-6-155