Electrical Injuries: Etiology, Pathophysiology and Mechanism of Injury

Abstract

Electrical injuries present serious and common form of trauma with a unique etiology, pathophysiology and mechanism of injury. The severity of the injury is determined by the intensity of the current, the type of current, the pathway of the current through the body, the duration of exposure to the current and electrical resistance to the current. Specific causes of electrical injuries are classified as: lowvoltage injuries, high-voltage injuries, lightning injuries and other electrical injuries. The three major mechanisms of electrical injuries are: direct tissue damage, thermal injury and mechanical injury. Exposure to alternating current is three times more dangerous than direct current of the same voltage. Nerves, muscles, and blood vesels have low resistance and are better electrical conductors than bone, tendon and fat. The electrical current is transmitted by direct way, indirect way and an arc.