Increased Hematocrit Due to Electrical‐Waveform Exposures in Splenectomized Sus scrofa,

Abstract

In laboratory studies of the pig Sus scrofa, hematocrit has consistently increased after conducted‐electrical‐weapon (CEW) exposures, possibly due to contraction of the spleen. Splenectomized animals and intact sham control animals were exposed, each for 30 sec, to a benchtop‐produced electrical waveform of net charge levels similar to those of some CEWs. Changes in the blood were compared statistically. Hematocrit increased significantly in both splenectomized and sham animals. There were no significant main‐effect differences between values of hematocrit from the two groups. There were, however, significant interactive effects of time and splenectomy for hematocrit, red blood cell count, and hemoglobin. After peak values were reached for these variables, values returned toward baseline levels more slowly in splenectomized animals. This may have been due to the lack of a spleen to sequester red blood cells (thereby resulting in more cells remaining in the general circulation), unlike sham animals with intact spleens.

Prolonged Electro‐muscular Incapacitation in a Porcine Model Causes Spinal Injury

“…The animals were also given Buprenorphine (0.005-0.2 mg/kg) in 2 mL doses delivered via IM injection to reduce pain. The animal was placed in a custom-made, woven vinyl sling supported by a fiberglass frame (a diagram of the setup is shown in (24)). The animal was placed unrestrained in the sling in the prone position with the legs hanging freely downwards through holes in the sling.…”

“…The electrical stimuli delivered during exposure were a train of monophasic, squarewave, electrical pulses (with pulse widths of 100 μs) delivered at the set frequency (either 19 Hz or 40 Hz) and peak amplitude current (either 0.6 A or 0.8 A) for a total exposure duration of 30 s. Plots of these waveforms can be found in (24).…”