Electric injury, part III: cardiac monitoring indications, the pregnant patient, and lightning.

A number of publications have presented recommendations for prolonged cardiac monitoring after electric injury. These recommendations are combined in this article to make criteria for monitoring that agree with the recommendations of most studies. It is generally agreed that cardiac monitoring is not needed unless there is an abnormal electrocardiogram or other suggestion of acute problems. Electric injury in pregnancy is also discussed, with recommendations for fetal monitoring after electric and mechanical trauma. Reports of fetal death after minor electric injury to the mother are described. Finally, selected aspects of lightning injury are described, including neurologic and vascular effects. This is the final article of a 3-part series on electric injury.