TY  - JOUR
PY  - 2019//
TI  - Direct current electrical injuries: a systematic review of case reports and case series
JO  - Burns: journal of the International Society for Burn Injuries
A1  - Dechent, Dagmar
A1  - Emonds, Tanja
A1  - Stunder, Dominik
A1  - Schmiedchen, Kristina
A1  - Kraus, Thomas
A1  - Driessen, Sarah
SP  - ePub
EP  - ePub
VL  - ePub
IS  - ePub
N2  - BACKGROUND: Direct current (DC) powered equipment and devices, including photovoltaic systems, high-voltage direct current power lines and novel concepts in electromobility have become increasingly popular in recent years. However, under adverse circumstances by malfunction or mishandling of these applications electrical injuries may occur when electric current passes through the human body. This review aimed at systematically summarizing the medical consequences of DC electrical injuries described in case reports and case series. <br><br>METHODS: The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guided the methodological conduct and reporting. <br><br>RESULTS: Sixteen case reports and 3 case series were eligible for this review and included 70 patients. The reviewed articles were very heterogeneous regarding sources of DC electrical injuries and the reported medical consequences, including burns and skin lesions (n=67), neurological consequences (n=11), unconsciousness (n=10), cardiac consequences (n=8) and bone fractures (n=6). Seventeen individuals did not survive the electrical injuries. <br><br>CONCLUSION: From the few available data and partly incomplete documentations of cases we could gather hints of DC medical consequences, however, it was not possible to identify well-defined medical consequences for various circumstances of DC electrical injuries in occupational and non-occupational settings. To achieve this goal, additional studies are required, each providing a comprehensive description of the medical consequences and the circumstances of the electrical injuries.<br><br>Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd and ISBI. All rights reserved.<p />  <p>Language: en</p>
LA  - en
SN  - 0305-4179
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.burns.2018.11.020
ID  - ref1
ER  -