The respiratory, metabolic, and neuroendocrine effects of a new generation electronic control device

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Abstract

Introduction

Electronic control devices (ECDs) have become popular in law enforcement because these devices have filled a gap left by other law enforcement devices, tactics, or tools and have been shown to reduce officer and suspect injuries. The TASER X3 is the latest generation device from the manufacturer. This device has the capability of firing three cartridges in a “semi-automatic” mode. This study is the first of the metabolic, neuroendocrine, and respiratory effects of this newer generation device.

Methods

This was a prospective, observational study of human subjects. A master instructor shot subjects with a TASER X3 in the anterior thorax with either one or two cartridges. Each subject received a 10-s exposure from the device. Vital signs were measured before and after the exposure. Venous pH, lactate, electrolytes, and catecholamines were measured before and after the exposure. Creatine kinase (CK) was measured before and at 24 h post-exposure. Continuous spirometry was also performed.

Results

Fifty-three subjects completed the study. There were no important changes in vital signs or electrolytes. Venous pH, lactate, and catecholamine changes were similar to previous studies on earlier generation devices. There was no evidence of impairment of breathing. CK changes were greater for multiple “circuits”.

Conclusions

In our study, the respiratory, metabolic, and neuroendocrine effects were similar to previous generation devices. There was an increase in CK with more probes deployed.

Introduction

Electronic control devices (ECDs) have become popular in law enforcement because these devices have filled a gap left by other law enforcement devices, tactics, or tools and have been shown to reduce officer and suspect injuries [1], [2], [3]. Lee et al. did not find this benefit in their paper, but their results were based on reporting from only 4 departments out of the 126 they sent surveys to, and they only reported on “serious officer injuries requiring emergency room visits” [4]. The devices deliver electrical charge from a capacitor in discrete pulses at fast rates leading to the depolarization of peripheral motor neurons within a “zone of capture” and subsequent involuntary, sub-tetanic muscle contraction. The devices also depolarize afferent sensory neurons leading to pain. There is likely also a smaller mechanistic effect from the direct depolarization of skeletal muscle in the immediate area of the charge delivery, and it has been theorized that more distant muscle effects may be the result of reflex arc involvement or direct spinal cord stimulation [5], [6]. There may also be a pain-related behavioral effect.

The TASER X26, the most prevalent ECD in the world, is limited in that it can only fire one cartridge without the officer reloading. This can present a distinct disadvantage when one probe misses (since two are required to complete the electric circuit), the probe spread is too close to be effective, or there are multiple subjects requiring engagement. The TASER X3 is the latest generation device from the manufacturer (TASER International, Scottsdale, AZ). This device, which is electrically different than the X26, has the capability of firing three cartridges in a “semi-automatic” mode. This study is the first of the metabolic, neuroendocrine, and respiratory effects of this newer generation device.

Section snippets

Materials and methods

This was a prospective, observational study of human subjects. The institutional review board at Hennepin County Medical Center (Minneapolis, MN) approved the study. The study was conducted at the TASER Master Instructor Course, held at the Radisson Fort McDowell Resort, Fort McDowell, AZ, and the Thomas A. Hontz Police and Fire Training Facility in Tempe, AZ. The subjects were a convenience sample of law enforcement or correctional officers participating in a training course and receiving an

Results

Fifty-six subjects were enrolled. No subjects were excluded. Subject characteristics are presented in Table 1. Health histories included asthma (n = 2), diabetes (n = 1), peptic ulcer disease/gastritis (n = 2), hypertension (n = 3), seizure disorder (n = 2), and bradycardia (n = 1). Twenty-six had some history of previous surgery, predominantly orthopedic. Seventeen reported no medical history. Current medications reported included: Androderm, Atenolol, Celexa, Depakote, Albuterol, Lasix, Clonidine,

Discussion

Our results are consistent with prior human studies on earlier generation electronic control devices. Similar to a study by Ho et al. examining the effects of the TASER X26, we found clinically unimportant changes in sodium, potassium, or glucose immediately after the TASER X3 exposure [7]. Other authors have reported similar results [8], [9].

Vilke et al. found no clinically important effects in respiratory measures with the TASER X26, although the study did not do spirometry during the

Conclusions

In our study, the respiratory, metabolic, and neuroendocrine effects were similar to previous generation devices. There was an increase in CK with more probes deployed.

Disclosure statement

TASER International provided funding for this study. Drs. Dawes and Ho are external medical consultants to TASER International and stockholders, and Dr. Ho is the newly designated medical director of TASER International.

Acknowledgement

The study authors would like to acknowledge Andrew Hinz and Matt Carver for their assistance in this project.

References (17)

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