A number of publications have presented recommendations for prolonged cardi
ac monitoring after electric injury. These recommendations are combined in
this article to make criteria for monitoring that agree with the recommenda
tions of most studies. It is generally agreed that cardiac monitoring is no
t needed unless there is an abnormal electrocardiogram or other suggestion
of acute problems. Electric injury in pregnancy is also discussed, with rec
ommendations for fetal monitoring after electric and mechanical trauma. Rep
orts of fetal death after minor electric injury to the mother are described
. Finally, selected aspects of lightning injury are described, including ne
urologic and vascular effects. This is the final article of a 3-part series
on electric injury. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Inc.