Acidosis

A Medical Guide to Understanding TASER® ECDs and Acidosis

Summary Conclusion – Do TASER ECDs Cause Acidosis?

Available human studies of ECD exposures of up to 15 seconds have shown that there is no clinically significant increase in metabolic acidosis.

 

Learn More - How this Conclusion was Reached:

What is metabolic acidosis?

A decrease in blood pH (measure of acidity or alkalinity) and bicarbonate caused by the accumulation of endogenous or exogenous acids. This condition can lead to serious injury and death.

What are the common causes of metabolic acidosis?

Diabetic ketoacidosis, severe physical exertion, ingestion of certain toxins, ingestion of certain medications, ingestions of certain illicit substances, severe infections.

How does metabolic acidosis relate to a TASER Electronic Control Device (ECD) exposure?

Because a TASER ECD exposure can cause strong muscle contractions, this can result in the increased production of lactic-acid which is a by-product of muscle metabolism.

What is an evidence-based conclusion?

While prolonged muscle activity does produce lactic acid, human studies of ECD exposures up to 15 seconds (or 3 cycles) have shown that there is no clinically significant increase in metabolic acidosis. Strong physical exertion (e.g., resisting law enforcement restraint) can lead to profound metabolic acidosis and measures to limit the period of resistance might be beneficial in already acidotic persons.

Further Evidence - Raw Acidosis Studies with Links:

 

Physiologic effects of prolonged conducted electrical weapon discharge in ethanol-intoxicated adults.
Twenty-two subjects were enrolled into the study. There was a decrease in pH and bicarbonate and an increase in lactate after alcohol ingestion. There was a further increase in lactate and drop in pH after CEW exposure.
Acidosis and catecholamine evaluation following simulated law enforcement "use of force" encounters.
Sixty-six subjects were enrolled; four did not complete their assigned task. One subject lost the intravenous (IV) access after completing the task and did not have data collected, and one subject only received a 5-second TASER device exposure and was excluded from the study, leaving 12 subjects in each task group.
Lactate and pH evaluation in exhausted humans with prolonged TASER X26™ exposure or continued exertion.
Forty subjects were enrolled. There were no median pH or lactate differences between CEW Exposure groups at baseline, or between Exertion protocol groups immediately after completion.
Prolonged TASER use on exhausted humans does not worsen markers of acidosis.
There were 38 subjects enrolled with an average age of 39 years. The following health conditions were reported among the volunteers: hypertension (2), gastritis/reflux (2), active respiratory tract infections (3), asthma (2), chronic muscular pain conditions (4), pituitary adenoma (1) and glaucoma (1).
 

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