Strike of a Bolt: A Case Report

Abstract

One of the most common causes of death when the nature is involved is by lightning strike. A minor proportion of the electric current is  strong enough to create a magnetic field which commonly affects the CNS, CVS and Musculoskeletal system. Overall mortality rate is up  to 30% while 70% of the cases survive with chronic sequelae. A varied number of mechanisms of energy transfer and numerous factors  like current intensity, path of its course in the body, activity and the position of the person at that moment etc. are involved in the effects of  lightening on the human body. It essentially encompasses in multisystem dysfunction. While cardiac arrhythmias are suspected to be the  principal cause of death, respiratory paralysis due to CNS involvement is considered as secondary cause and circulatory arrest, injuries of  internal organs are some other causes of death listed.