Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 17, 2026

A Model of Long-Term Ventricular Fibrillation in Isolated Rat Hearts
Published on: February 17, 2023
Estimating the probability that the Taser directly causes human ventricular fibrillation
H Sun1, D Haemmerich, P S Rahko
1Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, 1415 Engineering Drive, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53706, USA.
Abstract:
This paper describes the first methodology and results for estimating the order of probability for Tasers directly causing human ventricular fibrillation (VF). The probability of an X26 Taser causing human VF was estimated using: (1) current density near the human heart estimated by using 3D finite-element (FE) models; (2) prior data of the maximum dart-to-heart distances that caused VF in pigs; (3) minimum skin-to-heart distances measured in erect humans by echocardiography; and (4) dart landing distribution estimated from police reports. The estimated mean probability of human VF was 0.001 for data from a pig having a chest wall resected to the ribs and 0.000006 for data from a pig with no resection when inserting a blunt probe. The VF probability for a given dart location decreased with the dart-to-heart horizontal distance (radius) on the skin surface.
Related Concept Videos
ECG Interpretation of Arrhythmias II: Atrial, Junctional and Ventricular Arrhythmias
Dysrhythmias II: Classification of Tachyarrhythmias
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation III: AED Use
Dysrhythmias III: Characteristics of Dysrhythmias
Disturbances in Heart Rhythm
Arrhythmias are categorized by their speed, rhythm, and origin. A slow heart...
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation IV: Pharmacological Management

