Cardiac and skeletal muscle effects of electrical weapons : A review of human and animal studies

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#animals #conducted-energy-weapon-injuries #creatine-kinase #defibrillators-implantable #humans

Cardiac and skeletal muscle effects of electrical weapons : A review of human and animal studies

Kunz et al., 2018 | Forensic Sci Med Pathol | Systematic Review

Citation

Kunz Sebastian N, Calkins Hugh, ... Kroll Mark W. Cardiac and skeletal muscle effects of electrical weapons : A review of human and animal studies. Forensic Sci Med Pathol. 2018-Sep;14(3):358-366. doi:10.1007/s12024-018-9997-3

Abstract

Conducted Electrical Weapons (CEWs) are being used as the preferred non-lethal force option for police and special forces worldwide. This new technology challenges an exposed opponent similarly to the way they would be challenged by physical exercise combined with emotional stress. While adrenergic and metabolic effects have been meta-analyzed and reviewed, there has been no systematic review of the effects of CEWs on skeletal and cardiac muscle. A systematic and careful search of the MedLine database was performed to find publications describing pathophysiological cardiac and skeletal muscle effects of CEWs. For skeletal muscle effects, we analyzed all publications providing changes in creatine kinase, myoglobin and potassium. For cardiac effects, we analyzed reported troponin changes and arrhythmias related to short dart-to-heart-distances. Conducted electrical weapons satisfy all relevant electrical safety standards and there are, to date, no proven electrocution incidents caused by CEWs. A potential cardiovascular risk has been recognized by some of the experimental animal data. The effects on the heart appear to be limited to instances when there is a short dart-to-heart-distance. The effect on the skeletal muscle system appears to be negligible. A responsible use of a CEW on a healthy adult, within the guidelines proposed by the manufacturer, does not imply a significant health risk for that healthy adult.

Key Findings

A responsible use of a CEW on a healthy adult, within the guidelines proposed by the manufacturer, does not imply a significant health risk for that healthy adult.

Outcomes Measured

  • Requires manual extraction

Population

Field Value
Population See abstract
Sample Size See abstract
Age Range See abstract
Condition stress

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Conducted Energy Weapon Injuries
  • Creatine Kinase
  • Defibrillators, Implantable
  • Humans
  • Muscle Contraction
  • Myoglobin
  • Pacemaker, Artificial
  • Troponin
  • Ventricular Fibrillation

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Systematic Review
  • Publication Types: Journal Article, Systematic Review
  • Vertical: creatine

Provenance

Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-09