Research of Interest for Arrest-Related Death

What is an evidence-based conclusion for a TASER ECD causing metabolic acidosis?

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.

What is an evidence-based conclusion with regard to a TASER ECD and ventricular fibrillation (VF)?

The preponderance of the data, including all of the human studies, suggests that VF is not caused by ECDs in real-world usage. There is no evidence of important electrocardiogram (ECG) changes or capture (pacing response of the heart to electrical stimulation), and finite element modeling (FEM) does not suggest a current density in real-world use is able to induce fibrillation in humans. Also, epidemiological studies do not find that real-world human ECD use causes VF.

What is an evidence-based conclusion as to whether a TASER ECD impairs breathing?

The available human data directly contradicts animal studies and does not reveal any evidence of breathing impairment or respiratory acidosis.

What is the evidence-based conclusion regarding a TASER ECD exposure and rhabdomyolysis?

It is reasonable to expect some elevation in markers of skeletal muscle injury consistent with participation in an athletic event; however, this elevation is not believed to be important in the sudden in-custody death phenomenon. Rhabdomyolysis does not cause injury for days after the inciting event, and in the event of severe rises in CK, the clinical course is deteriorating renal function that can be treated with dialysis if needed.

Visit the Current Electronic Control Device Research Page for a complete listing of Electronic Control Device Research, or feel free to contact us with any questions.

Medical Safety Research

1) Dawes DM, Ho JD, Reardon RF, Miner JR. Echocardiographic evaluation of TASER X26 probe deployment into the chests of human volunteers. Am J Emerg Med. Jan 2010;28(1):49-55.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20006201?dopt=Citation

2) Ho JD, Dawes DM, Cole JB, Hottinger JC, Overton KG, Miner JR. Lactate and pH evaluation in exhausted humans with prolonged TASER X26 exposure or continued exertion. Forensic Sci Int. Sep 10 2009;190(1-3):80-86.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19539437?dopt=Citation

3) Moscati R, Ho JD, Dawes DM, Miner JR. Physiologic effects of prolonged conducted electrical weapon discharge in ethanol-intoxicated adults. Am J Emerg Med. Jun 2010;28(5):582-587.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20579553?dopt=Citation