Articles | Open Access | Vol. 5 No. 12 (2025): Volume 05 Issue 12 | DOI: https://doi.org/10.37547/medical-fmspj-05-12-07

Electrical Injury–Induced Pulmonary Embolism: A Case Report

Zubaydullayeva M.T. , Department of Internal Medicine and Fundamentals of Preventive Medicine in Family Medicine No. 1, Tashkent State Medical University, Uzbekistan
Maxmudova U.R. , Department of Internal Medicine and Fundamentals of Preventive Medicine in Family Medicine No. 1, Tashkent State Medical University, Uzbekistan
Saidahmadov S.S. , Cardiologist of the Cardiac Intensive Care, Tashkent State Medical University, Uzbekistan

Abstract

Electrical injuries are most commonly associated with cutaneous burns, arrhythmias, and neuromuscular damage; however, thromboembolic complications are rarely described. Low-voltage electrical exposure may trigger endothelial disruption, inflammation, and a hypercoagulable state that predisposes to in-situ pulmonary artery thrombosis. We present the case of a 34-year-old male who developed progressive dyspnoea, chest pain, and hypoxaemia several days after an occupational electrical injury. Diagnostic evaluation revealed elevated D-dimer levels, right ventricular dilatation with signs of pulmonary hypertension on echocardiography, and no evidence of deep venous thrombosis. CT pulmonary angiography identified acute segmental pulmonary embolism with pulmonary infarction. The patient was successfully treated with anticoagulation and supportive therapy, resulting in clinical improvement. This case highlights the potential for low-voltage electrical trauma to precipitate pulmonary vascular injury and emphasizes the importance of early imaging and prompt anticoagulant therapy. Further studies are necessary to better understand the pathophysiological mechanisms and incidence of thromboembolic events following electrical injury.

Keywords

Electrical injury, low-voltage electric shock, pulmonary embolism

References

Singh RK, Lehl SS, Sachdev A, et al. Non-cardiogenic pulmonary edema following low-voltage electrical injury. J Assoc Physicians India. 2001;49:461–463.

Searle J, Slaght KS, Muehlberger T. Pulmonary manifestations of electrical injury. Burns. 2004;30(5):467–470.

Kim JH, Kim H. Pulmonary complications after electrical injuries. Clin Exp Emerg Med. 2017;4(2):103–109.

Warkentin TE, Greinacher A. Thrombotic complications and endothelial injury. Blood. 2004;104(10):3167–3175.

Pillay Y, Moolla M. Pulmonary embolism and lung infarction: Pathophysiology and imaging findings. Clin Radiol. 2019;74(11):833–841.

Khan J, Yadav H, Agarwal R. Hemoptysis and pulmonary injury following electric shock: A case report. Lung India. 2010;27(4):238–240.

Van den Bergh F, Schutte PC. Venous thromboembolism after electrical injury: A case report and review. Burns. 2013;39(6):e50–e54.

Rogers A, Clark DE. Vascular endothelial injury from electrical current exposure. Am J Forensic Med Pathol. 2015;36(4):265–270.

Baker MD, Fraser K. Electroporation-induced endothelial dysfunction: Mechanisms and clinical implications. Shock. 2016;45(2):101–110.

Ho CH, Shih JT. Rhabdomyolysis and hypercoagulability following electrical injury. Burns. 2001;27(5):506–510.

Article Statistics

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Copyright License

Download Citations

How to Cite

Zubaydullayeva M.T., Maxmudova U.R., & Saidahmadov S.S. (2025). Electrical Injury–Induced Pulmonary Embolism: A Case Report. Frontline Medical Sciences and Pharmaceutical Journal, 5(12), 34–37. https://doi.org/10.37547/medical-fmspj-05-12-07