Some transdermal patches contain aluminum as a way to make the patch waterproof. A person wearing such a patch may suffer a burn if they receive a shock from a defibrillator.
Mechanism: arcing between the debrillator and the transdermal patch
Clinical features:
(1) The person is wearing a patch that contains metal.
(2) The person undergoes defibrillation.
(3) There is a burn at the site of the transdermal patch.
(4) There is no other explanation for the burn (such as an MRI scan while wearing the patch).
This may occur with:
(1) an external defibrillator
(2) an internal cardioverter defibrillator
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