CORRESPONDENCE: LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Taser Research in Pigs Not Helpful
John J. Pippin, MD*
* 6716 Gold Dust Trail, Dallas, Texas 75252-5915 (Email: jjpippin{at}sbcglobal.net).
Two reports in a 2006 issue of JACC cite studies of the effects of Taser shocks in porcine "models." Nanthakumar et al. (1) reported the results of 150 discharges at various body locations in 6 pigs, concluding that there may be increased risks for dysrhythmias, especially under conditions of adrenergic stress. Lakkireddy et al. (2) reported the results of shocks in 5 pigs before and after cocaine infusions, using a device designed to mimic the Taser X-26 model. Cocaine increased the ventricular fibrillation (VF) threshold in these pigs, suggesting cocaine may be protective for Taser-related VF risk in humans.
Efforts to study the human effects of Taser shocks by substituting pigs appear to have little rationale or necessity. Important anatomical and electrophysiological differences between humans and pigs make pigs poor surrogates for human responses to cardiac drugs and electrical discharges. Additional confounders include the use of anesthesia, controlled laboratory conditions, repetitive shocks in animals smaller than humans, and inability to interview the subjects about symptoms caused by their Taser exposures.
Nanthakumar et al.’s (1) finding of increased Taser-associated dysrhythmia risk in pigs contrasts with a 2005 study in healthy human volunteers (3), and is not supported by a review of many thousands of Taser outcomes in police uses and in human volunteers (4). Lakkireddy et al.’s (2) conclusion contradicts the known effects of cocaine on dysrhythmia risk in humans (5,6).
The effects of Taser shocks in humans may not be completely understood, but the useful information to date is from studies in humans receiving shocks under various circumstances. Conflicting and inconsistent results from studies in pigs and other animals have muddied rather than clarified the picture. No scientific or ethical justification exists for such studies when much species-specific information is available and could be expanded (7).
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1. Nanthakumar K, Billingsley IM, Masse S, et al. Cardiac electrophysiological consequences of neuromuscular incapacitating device discharges J Am Coll Cardiol 2006;48:798-804.[Abstract/Free Full Text]2. Lakkireddy D, Wallick D, Ryschon K, et al. Effects of cocaine intoxication on the threshold for stun gun induction of ventricular fibrillation J Am Coll Cardiol 2006;48:805-811.[Abstract/Free Full Text] 3. Levine SD, Sloane C, Chan T, et al. Cardiac monitoring of subjects exposed to the Taser (abstr 187). 2005Paper presented at: Annual meeting of the Society of Academic Emergency Medicine; May 22–25; New York, NY. 4. Bleetman A, Steyn R, Lee C. Introduction of the Taser into British policing. Implications for UK emergency departments: an overview of electronic weaponry. Emerg Med J 2004;21:136-140.[Abstract/Free Full Text] 5. Frishman WH, Del Vecchio A, Sanal S, Ismail A. Cardiovascular manifestations of substance abuse: part 1: cocaine Heart Dis 2003;5:187-201.[CrossRef][Medline] 6. Lange RA, Hillis LD. Cardiovascular complications of cocaine use N Engl J Med 2001;345:531-538. 7. Pound P, Ebrahim S, Sandercock P, Bracken MB, Roberts I. Where is the evidence that animal research benefits humans? BMJ 2004;328:514-517.[Free Full Text]
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