[2008] [AB46-4] Can Electrical-Conductive Weapons (TASER) alter the functional integrity of pacemakers and defibrillators and cause rapid myocardial capture?

Dhanunjaya R Lakkireddy, MD, Mazda Biria, MD, Esam Baryun, MD, Loren Berenbom, MD, Rhea Pimentel, MD, Martin P Emert, MD, Kevin Kreighbaum, RN, Mark W Kroll, PhD, Atul Verma, MD. Mid America Cardiology @ University of Kansas Hospital, Kansas City, KS, United States; University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States; Southlake Regional Health Center, Toronto, ON, Canada

Introduction: The cardiac effects of conducted electrical weapons (CEWs) such as TASER have been a subject of debate for several years with some uneasy questioning about their absolute safety. Intracardiac electograms (EGMs) from pacemakers (PM) and implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICD) in human reports suggested the possibility of rapid myocardial capture. Electromagnetic interference related to CEW use was also questioned. However, animal studies were contrary to the human reports. We report three human cases where no evidence of myocardial capture or EMI was seen on these devices. Methods: NA Results: The first case was of a 25 y/o schizophrenic male received a pacemaker for sick sinus syndrome. Aggressive behavior during recovery prompted 3 ECW shocks to his chest with no evidence of EMI behavior or rapid myocardial capture on the PM EGMs. Second case was of a 45 y/o man with dilated cardiomyopathy who has a DDD-ICD who had ECW shocks x 2 to his back without any evidence of ICD shocks, rapid myocardial capture or EMI behavior. Third case was of a 56 y/o man with a VVI-ICD for ischemic cardiomyopathy. He had 4 ECW shocks to the front with no EGM evidence of ICD shocks, EMI behavior or rapid myocardial capture. Device interrogation 3 to 6 months did not show any significant change in the lead or generator function. Conclusions: ECW shocks do not alter the functional integrity of PMs and ICDs. Interestingly, the EMI behavior, inappropriate ICD shocks and rapid ventricular capture reported by other studies was not seen in these patients supporting our prior work in animals on the same issue.