title: The respiratory, metabolic, and neuroendocrine effects of a new generation electronic control device.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  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 24h 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.
authors.affiliation: University of Louisville, 2301 South 3rd Street, Louisville, KY 40208, USA.
authors.forename: Donald M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Dawes
authors.forename: Jeffrey D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Ho
authors.forename: Robert F
authors.initials: RF
authors.lastname: Reardon
authors.forename: Seth R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Strote
authors.forename: Rebecca S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Nelson
authors.forename: Erik J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Lundin
authors.forename: Benjamin S
authors.initials: BS
authors.lastname: Orozco
authors.forename: Sebastian N
authors.initials: SN
authors.lastname: Kunz
authors.forename: James R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Miner
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002395:Catecholamines / Q000097:blood; D003402:Creatine Kinase; D004558:Electric Stimulation / Q000295:instrumentation*; D004573:Electrolytes / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005554:Forensic Medicine; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D019344:Lactic Acid / Q000097:blood; D035846:Law Enforcement; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013147:Spirometry; D055986:Vital Signs
chemical_list: D002395:Catecholamines; D004573:Electrolytes; D019344:Lactic Acid; D003402:Creatine Kinase