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The QT interval in lightning injury with implications for the cessation of metabolism hypothesisAn hypothesis is presented to provide an alternative to the Cessation of Metabolism hypothesis often invoked in lightning injury. Cessation of Metabolism has been proposed to explain the observation of good recovery after a prolonged period in cardiac arrest in some lightning injured patients. Reevaluation of EEGs from lightning injured patients show a high incidence of QT prolongation. Reexamination of the cases used to support Cessation of Metabolism also reveals little evidence to justify the hypothesis. The finding of QT prolongation coupled with the hyperadrenergic state said to exist in lightning injury, may promote a state of episodic induction of and recovery from Torsade de Pointes Ventricular Tachycardia (VT). Histological examination of the myocardium supports the new hypothesis. This the first concerted description of lightning injury as one of the general causes of QT prolongation. It appears to occur frequently after lightning injury, is a prerequisite of and predisposes to episodes of Torsade de Pointes VT. These electrocardiographic abnormalities explain Cessation of Metabolism and recognition may change management and lead to greater survival.
Document ID
19910023307
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Andrews, Christopher J. (Wesley Hospital Brisbane (Australia)., United States)
Colquhoun, David M. (Wesley Hospital Brisbane (Australia)., United States)
Darveniza, Mat (Queensland Univ. Brisbane, Australia)
Date Acquired
September 6, 2013
Publication Date
August 1, 1991
Publication Information
Publication: NASA. Kennedy Space Center, The 1991 International Aerospace and Ground Conference on Lightning and Static Electricity, Volume 1
Subject Category
Aerospace Medicine
Accession Number
91N32621
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.

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