The respiratory, metabolic, and neuroendocrine effects of a new generation electronic control device.
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.
Dawes
Donald M
DM
University of Louisville, 2301 South 3rd Street, Louisville, KY 40208, USA.
Ho
Jeffrey D
JD
Reardon
Robert F
RF
Strote
Seth R
SR
Nelson
Rebecca S
RS
Lundin
Erik J
EJ
Orozco
Benjamin S
BS
Kunz
Sebastian N
SN
Miner
James R
JR
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
D002395:Catecholamines; D004573:Electrolytes; D019344:Lactic Acid; D003402:Creatine Kinase