TY  - JOUR
PY  - 2014//
TI  - Physiologic effects of a new-generation conducted electrical weapon on human volunteers
JO  - Journal of emergency medicine
A1  - Ho, Jeffrey D.
A1  - Dawes, Donald M.
A1  - Chang, Richard J.
A1  - Nelson, Rebecca S.
A1  - Miner, James R.
SP  - 428
EP  - 435
VL  - 46
IS  - 3
N2  - BACKGROUND: Conducted electrical weapons (CEWs) are used by law enforcement to restrain or repel potentially violent persons. The TASER X2 CEW is a next-generation device with new technology, including new electrical waveform and output specifications. It has not previously been studied in humans.     OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to evaluate the human physiologic effect of a new-generation CEW.     METHODS: This was a prospective, observational human study. Volunteers received a 10-s exposure via deployed probes from an X2 CEW in the abdomen and upper thigh. Measured data included vital signs; 12-lead electrocardiograms; and blood serum biomarkers before, immediately after, and 24 h post exposure. Biomarkers measured included pH, lactate, potassium, creatine kinase (CK), and troponin-I. Real-time spirometry and echocardiography were performed before, during, and after the exposure.     RESULTS: Ten volunteers completed the study. There were no important changes in vital signs or potassium. Median increase in lactate as a consequence of the exposure was 1.2 mg/dL (range 0.6-2.8 mg/dL). Median change in pH was -0.031 (range -0.011 to -0.067). No subject had a positive troponin. Median change in CK at 24 h was 313 ng/mL (range -40 to 3418 ng/mL). There was no evidence of respiratory impairment. Baseline median minute ventilation was 14.2 L/min, increased to 21.6 L/min intra-exposure (p = 0.05), and remained elevated at 21.6 L/min post exposure (p = 0.01).     CONCLUSIONS: There was no evidence of dangerous physiology found in the measured parameters. The physiologic effects of the X2 CEW are similar to older-generation CEWs. We encourage further study to validate these results.<p />  <p>Language: en</p>
LA  - en
SN  - 0736-4679
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jemermed.2013.08.069
ID  - ref1
ER  -