Clinical Research
Cardiovascular Consequences of Stun Gun
Effects of Cocaine Intoxication on the Threshold for Stun Gun Induction of Ventricular Fibrillation

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jacc.2006.03.055Get rights and content
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Objectives

This study sought to assess cocaine’s effects on Taser-induced ventricular fibrillation (VF) threshold in a pig model.

Background

Stun guns are increasingly used by law enforcement officials to restrain violent subjects, who are frequently intoxicated with cocaine and other drugs of abuse. The interaction of cocaine and the stun gun on VF induction is unknown.

Methods

We tested five adult pigs using a custom device built to deliver multiples of standard neuromuscular incapacitating (NMI) discharge that matched the waveform of a commercially available electrical stun gun (Taser X-26, Taser International, Scottsdale, Arizona). The NMI discharges were applied in a step-up and step-down fashion at 5 body locations. End points included determination of maximum safe multiple, minimum VF-inducing multiple, and ventricular fibrillation threshold (VFT) before and after cocaine infusion.

Results

Standard NMI discharges (×1) did not cause VF at any of the 5 locations before or after cocaine infusion. The maximum safe multiple, minimum VF-inducing multiple, and VFT of NMI application increased with increasing electrode distance from the heart. There was a 1.5- to 2-fold increase in these values at each position after cocaine infusion, suggesting decreased cardiac vulnerability for VF. Cocaine increased the required strength of NMI discharge that caused 2:1 or 3:1 ventricular capture ratios at all of the positions. No significant changes in creatine kinase-MB and troponin-I were seen.

Conclusions

Cocaine increased the VFT of NMI discharges at all dart locations tested and reduced cardiac vulnerability to VF. The application of cocaine increased the safety margin by 50% to 100% above the baseline safety margin.

Abbreviations and Acronyms

CK
creatine kinase
ECG
electrocardiogram
maxSM
maximum safe multiple
minVFIM
minimum ventricular fibrillation-inducing multiple
NMI
neuromuscular incapacitating
PMI
point of maximum impulse
SN
sternal notch
VF
ventricular fibrillation
VFT
ventricular fibrillation threshold

Cited by (0)

This study was supported by a grant from Taser International, Scottsdale, Arizona, for funding the technical costs of the study. The authors had sole responsibility for the study design, data collection, data analysis, data interpretation, and preparation of the manuscript. None of the authors have any financial interest in Taser International, nor have they received any financial support from Taser International outside of the grant.