Abstract Conducted electrical weapons (CEWs), such as Tasers, are used by law enforcement to restrain individuals. While generally considered safe, there have been various case reports about their possible adverse effects. Our report highlights a unique case of myopericarditis in an individual after being tased during a police pursuit. A 26-year-old Black male with a history of Asthma was brought to the Emergency Department by law enforcement personnel after the patient complained of chest pain shortly after being tased during a foot pursuit. On presentation, he was hemodynamically stable. Physical examination was notable for occasional wheezing but no crackles, and normal heart sounds with no murmurs or gallops. Laboratory evaluation revealed leukocytosis (WBC 18.9 × 109/L), elevated serum creatinine (1.63 mg/dL), and creatine phosphokinase of 904 U/L. Initial high-sensitivity troponin was 8 ng/L, subsequently rising to 9,877 ng/L over 36 hours. Electrocardiography demonstrated sinus bradycardia with minor nonspecific T-wave abnormalities. Telemetry revealed intermittent short runs of nonsustained monomorphic ventricular tachycardia. Transthoracic echocardiography showed a preserved systolic function (Ejection fraction 60-65%) and no regional wall-motion abnormalities. Coronary angiography revealed a non-obstructive 50% Left anterior descending stenosis. Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) demonstrated sub-epicardial late gadolinium enhancement in the mid-inferior and inferolateral segments with associated myocardial edema and pericardial involvement, consistent with acute myopericarditis. He was managed conservatively with aspirin and statin therapy. Beta-blockers were withheld due to resting bradycardia. He was discharged in stable condition with a plan to repeat echocardiogram in one month. Our case illustrates a rare presentation of acute myopericarditis secondary to exposure to a CEW. Most documented CEW-related cardiac events involve transient arrhythmias or secondary ischemia; however, confirmed myocarditis on cardiac MRI has not been widely reported. The pathophysiologic mechanism may involve direct electrical injury to cardiac myocytes or catecholamine-mediated stress. This case highlights the need for clinical suspicion of myocardial injury following electrical exposure and also the diagnostic value of multimodal imaging, particularly cardiac MRI, in distinguishing myocarditis from acute coronary syndrome. Recognition of CEW-associated myocardial injury is essential to guide appropriate management, avoid unnecessary invasive procedures, and inform future safety assessments of CEW deployment. This abstract is funded by: None
Nasir et al. (Fri,) studied this question.