QOD 11 9 09

Which statement regarding conducted electrical

weapons (ie, Tasers®) is true?

a. They are known to cause cardiac arrhythmias.

b. They cause involuntary contractions of regional skeletal muscles leading to immobilization of the victim.

c. They utilize only DC currents.

d. Patients with a Taser® injury should always be admitted for cardiac telemetry.

With increased use of conducted electrical weapons (ie, Tasers®) by law enforcement agents and by civilians

seeking personal protection, emergency clinicians can expect to see more patients in the ED with

Taser® injuries. Tasers® use compressed nitrogen to fire 2 metallic darts up to 35 feet and transmit an

electrical impulse through up to 2 inches of clothing. The Taser® causes involuntary contractions of the

regional skeletal muscles and makes it impossible for the target to move voluntarily. The peak voltage

across the target’s body is approximately 1200 V (delivered in rapid pulses over 5 seconds), and the average current is approximately 2.1 mA.

The electric shock delivered by the Taser® is neither pure AC nor pure DC and is probably similar to rapid,

low-amplitude DC shocks. After reports of deaths in police custody following

Taser® use, concern has been raised regarding its safety. However, a recent small prospective study

by Ho et al found no evidence of Taser®-induced cardiac arrhythmias, ECG changes, or electrolyte

abnormalities. Additionally, a prospective series involving 218 patients shot with the original Taser® in

the early 1980s described 3 deaths secondary to cardiac arrest; however, all 3 of these patients had high

levels of phencyclidine (PCP) in their blood, and this was cited as the cause of death. The authors

concluded that the death rate in their series was no higher than that reported for PCP toxicity alone.

Although data regarding the effects of the Taser® are limited, it appears most healthy subjects may be

safely discharged from the ED after dart removal and evaluation for any other injuries. Although

some authors recommend an ECG in patients who have been shot with the Taser®, no current evidence

supports this practice

Answer: b

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