title: Blood lactate concentration after exposure to conducted energy weapons (including TASER® devices): is it clinically relevant?
abstract: In previous studies, blood lactate concentration (BLac) consistently increased in anesthetized animals and in human subjects after exposures to TASER(®) conducted energy weapons (CEWs). Some have suggested the increased BLac would have detrimental consequences. In the current review, the following are evaluated: (a) the nature of muscle contractions due to CEWs, (b) general aspects of increased BLac, (c) previous studies of conventional neuromuscular electrical stimulation and CEW exposures, and (d) BLac in disease states. On the basis of these analyses, one can conclude that BLac, per se (independent of acidemia), would not be clinically relevant immediately after short-duration CEW applications, due to the short time course of any increase.
authors.affiliation: Bioeffects Division, Human Effectiveness Directorate, 711th Human Performance Wing, US Air Force Research Laboratory, Fort Sam Houston, TX 78234, USA. james.r.jauchem.civ@mail.mil
authors.forename: James R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Jauchem
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D057667:Conducted Energy Weapon Injuries / Q000097:blood* / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D004597:Electroshock / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation*; D004867:Equipment Design; D006801:Humans; D019344:Lactic Acid / Q000097:blood*; D009119:Muscle Contraction; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D013997:Time Factors; D054041:Weapons
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D019344:Lactic Acid