Taser-induced rapid ventricular myocardial capture demonstrated by pacemaker intracardiac electrograms.
BACKGROUND
A Taser weapon is designed to incapacitate violent individuals by causing temporary neuromuscular paralysis due to current application. We report the first case of a Taser application in a person with a dual-chamber pacemaker demonstrating evidence of Taser-induced myocardial capture.


RESULTS
Device interrogation was performed in a 53-year-old man with a dual-chamber pacemaker who had received a Taser shot consisting of two barbs delivered simultaneously. Assessment of pacemaker function after Taser application demonstrated normal sensing, pacing thresholds, and lead impedances. Stored event data revealed two high ventricular rate episodes corresponding to the exact time of the Taser application.


CONCLUSIONS
This report describes the first human case of ventricular myocardial capture at a rapid rate resulting from a Taser application. This raises the issue as to whether conducted energy devices can cause primary myocardial capture or capture only in association with cardiac devices providing a preferential pathway of conduction to the myocardium.
Cao
Michael
M
Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90033, USA.
Shinbane
Jerold S
JS
Gillberg
Jeffrey M
JM
Saxon
Leslie A
LA
Swerdlow
Charles D
CD
D004562:Electrocardiography / Q000379:methods*; D004597:Electroshock / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D035846:Law Enforcement / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010138:Pacemaker, Artificial; D014693:Ventricular Fibrillation / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology*