Repeated thoracic discharges from a stun device.
BACKGROUND
Little objective laboratory data are available describing the physiologic effects of stun guns or electromuscular incapacitation (EMI) devices, but increasing morbidity and even deaths are associated with their use. We hypothesized that exposure to EMI discharges in a model animal system would induce clinically significant acidosis and cardiac arrhythmia.


METHODS
Ten Yucatan mini-pigs, six experimental and four sham controls, were anesthetized with ketamine, xylazine, and glycopyrrolate. Experimental pigs were exposed to two 40-second discharges from an EMI device over the left thorax. Electrocardiograms, troponin I, blood gases, and lactate levels were obtained pre-exposure, at 5, 15, 30, 60 minutes, and at 24, 48, and 72 hours postdischarge.


RESULTS
No acute or delayed cardiac arrhythmias were seen. Heart rate was not affected significantly (p>0.05). A subclinical increase in troponin I was seen at 24 hours postdischarge (0.040+/-0.030 ng/mL, p>0.05). Central venous blood pH (7.432+/-0.014) and pCO2 (36.1+/-0.9 mm Hg) were not changed significantly (p>0.05) during the 60-minute postdischarge period. A moderate significant increase in lactate occurred in the 5-minute postdischarge group (4.9+/-0.3 mmol/L, p=0.0179). All blood chemistry and vital signs were normal at 24, 48, and 72 hours postdischarge.


CONCLUSIONS
Although significant changes in some parameters were seen, these changes were small and of little clinical significance. Lengthy EMI exposures did not cause extreme acidosis or cardiac arrhythmias. These findings may differ from those seen with other EMI devices because of the unique MK63 waveform characteristics or to specific characteristics of the model systems.
Valentino
Daniel J
DJ
Department of Trauma, Stroger Hospital of Cook County, and Department of General Surgery, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60612, USA.
Walter
Robert J
RJ
Nagy
Kimberly
K
Dennis
Andrew J
AJ
Winners
Jerry
J
Bokhari
Faran
F
Wiley
Dorion
D
Joseph
Kimberly T
KT
Roberts
Roxanne
R
D000136:Acid-Base Equilibrium / Q000502:physiology*; D000818:Animals; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000502:physiology*; D004558:Electric Stimulation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation*; D004867:Equipment Design; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000502:physiology*; D013552:Swine; D013556:Swine, Miniature; D014882:Water-Electrolyte Balance / Q000502:physiology*