RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Cardiac stimulation with high voltage discharge from stun guns
JF Canadian Medical Association Journal
JO CMAJ
FD Canadian Medical Association
SP 1451
OP 1457
DO 10.1503/cmaj.071867
VO 178
IS 11
A1 Kumaraswamy Nanthakumar MD
A1 Stephane Massé, PEng MASc
A1 Karthikeyan Umapathy, PhD
A1 Paul Dorian MD
A1 Elias Sevaptsidis
A1 Menashe Waxman MD
YR 2008
UL http://www.cmaj.ca/content/178/11/1451.abstract
AB The ability of an electrical discharge to stimulate the heart depends on the duration of the pulse, the voltage and the current density that reaches the heart. Stun guns deliver very short electrical pulses with minimal amount of current at high voltages. We discuss external stimulation of the heart by high voltage discharges and review studies that have evaluated the potential of stun guns to stimulate cardiac muscle. Despite theoretical analyses and animal studies which suggest that stun guns cannot and do not affect the heart, 3 independent investigators have shown cardiac stimulation by stun guns. Additional research studies involving people are needed to resolve the conflicting theoretical and experimental findings and to aid in the design of stun guns that are unable to stimulate the heart.