Cardio-pulmonary
Certain types of torture particularly lead to pulmonary complications. Beatings to the chest may cause damage to the thoracic wall – including rib fractures – and severely reduce the respiration. Often the consequence is pneumonia.
“Wet submarino” is associated with the potential risk of producing acute lung symp- toms, due to aspiration of contaminated water. Harsh prison conditions in humid, cold and dark cells probably often facilitate pneumonia, bronchitis or pulmonary tuber- culosis.
Electrical torture may produce cardiac arrest if the current passes through the heart. Attacks of tachycardia, palpitations and/or dyspnoea,combined with anxiety, pain in the thorax, including angina and muscular pain, chronic bronchitis (coughing, exertion dyspnoea) can occur highlighting the need for follow-up studies on torture victims.
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