[Risks attendant on the use of electrical equipment in anaesthesia and intensive care units].

The physical principles of electricity and types of electrical injuries are reviewed. The extent of such injuries depends on the strength of the current: ventricular fibrillations can be induced by a current of 10mA, and even of 10 muA if the current passes directly through the heart. The extent of electrothermal injuries depends on the duration of the current flow and the contact area. Indirect electrical injuries may arise from interferance with cardiac pacemakers or monitoring equipment. Risks attendant on the use of even the "safest" electrical apparatus are discussed, with special reference to the risks arising from interaction between, e.g., high frequency diathermy and monitoring equipment or domestic appliances (beside lamp, razor) and monitoring or electrical therapeutic equipment. A number of safety measures to minimize the risk of electrical injuries are discussed.