title: [New studies question the cardiac safety of conducted electrical weapons].
abstract: Conducted electrical weapons (CEW) were invented in the 1970s and are now widely used by more than 16,000 military and law enforcement agencies worldwide. Recent studies have sug-gested that a causal relation of cardiac arrest in humans and utilization of CEW may exist and cardiac capture and fatal arrhythmia have been documented in animal studies. We believe, based on current knowledge, that CEW use may have caused human fatalities. Users should be aware of potential serious side effects and be able to provide basic life support.
authors.affiliation: Vølundsgade 24, 5. tv, 2200 København N. E-mail: Jakob@jht.dk.
authors.forename: Jakob Hartvig
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Thomsen
authors.forename: Jesper
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kjærgaard
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Hassager
authors.forename: Claus
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Graff
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hansen
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Worbech
authors.forename: Jens Henning
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Jensen
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bro-Jeppesen
authors.forename: Steen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Pehrson
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D057667:Conducted Energy Weapon Injuries / Q000150:complications*; D004558:Electric Stimulation / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D023421:Models, Animal; D017180:Tachycardia, Ventricular / Q000209:etiology; D014693:Ventricular Fibrillation / Q000209:etiology