Commotio cordis is an uncommon however considerable reason for abrupt death, especially amongst young people, and takes place without pre-existing cardiovascular disease. It can occur to professional athletes throughout sports or in daily scenarios. The strength of the chest effect triggering commotio cordis differs, often being extreme or remarkably moderate. Quick recognition and reaction to such occasions are vital, as instant CPR or defibrillation can reverse heart attack. The specific reason for commotio cordis is not completely comprehended, however it includes a chest blow striking the heart throughout a particular 20 ms duration of the T wave’s upstroke.
A current short article in Heart Rhythm Case Reports talks about the case of an 18- year-old basketball gamer who struggled with commotio cordis, resulting in heart attack, after being struck in the chest.
A brand-new case report released in Heart Rhythm Case Reports, a main journal of the Heart Rhythm Society, released by Elsevier, information the commotio cordis occasion experienced by a Romanian basketball gamer that led to heart attack. The case is distinct since it is confirmed and recorded by an ECG and video proof of the occasion. Swift action by observers conserved his life.
Rising Awareness of Commotio Cordis in Sports
In early January 2023, commotio cordis got significant presence and prestige as the underlying reason for heart attack when Damar Hamlin, a protective gamer for the Buffalo Bills, was struck in the chest throughout an accident with a challenger in a United States NFL expert football video game. Rapid cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and defibrillation were lifesaving, with the occasion experienced by millions on tv in real-time.
In Bucharest, Romania, 60 days later on and 5,000 miles away, another commotio cordis occasion took place, this time throughout a youth basketball competition video game saw just by friends and families. An 18- year-old basketball gamer (M.V.) was struck in the chest by an unintentional light blow from a challenger’s elbow and collapsed throughout the video game, which was recorded and recorded. Rapid CPR and one defibrillation shock conserved his life.
Initially, there is a scramble for a loose ball and gamer M.V. (big white arrow) is struck in the chest by the elbow of a challenger. M.V. stumbles however stays upright for a couple of seconds simply prior to complete collapse in heart attack. Credit: Heart Rhythm Case Reports
Global Incidence and Understanding of Commotio Cordis
Commotio cordis occasions have actually been reported worldwide in more than 20 nations, however are extremely uncommon and practically constantly counterproductive, as in M.V.’s case. In commotio cordis, ventricular fibrillation is sped up by a blow over the heart and needs an accurate timing to a narrow 20 ms window at the upstroke of the T wave.
After the commotio cordis occasion, M.V. was analyzed at Lahey Hospital and Medical Center in Burlington, MA, U.S.A., by a group led by Barry J. Maron, MD.
There is a scramble for a loose ball and gamer M.V. (white arrow) is struck in the chest by the elbow of a challenger. M.V. stumbles however stays upright for a couple of seconds simply prior to complete collapse in heart attack. Credit: Heart Rhythm Case Reports
Dr Maron discusses, “There is some skepticism regarding the existence of commotio cordis. Since the case of the Romanian basketball player was recorded and documented, it validates the existence of commotio cordis. It is a real phenomenon, and it occurs in real people in sports and in daily living. It is important to raise awareness of this condition, which is reversible with prompt intervention, as this case demonstrates.”
Health and Recovery Post-Commotio Cordis
Prior to the occasion, M.V. was totally healthy without cardiovascular problems; there is no household history of < period class ="glossaryLink" aria-describedby ="tt" data-cmtooltip ="<div class=glossaryItemTitle>cardiovascular disease</div><div class=glossaryItemBody>Cardiovascular disease refers to a group of conditions that affect the heart and blood vessels, such as coronary artery disease, heart failure, arrhythmias, and stroke. It is caused by a variety of factors, including lifestyle choices (such as smoking and poor diet), genetics, and underlying medical conditions (such as high blood pressure and diabetes). Cardiovascular disease is a leading cause of death worldwide, but can often be prevented or managed through lifestyle changes, medications, and medical procedures such as bypass surgery and angioplasty.</div>" data-gt-translate-attributes="[{"attribute":"data-cmtooltip", "format":"html"}]" tabindex ="0" function ="link" > heart diseaseWhen examined atLaheyHospital and MedicalCenter 6 weeks after his heart attack, he was asymptomatic and neurologically undamaged, without recurring medical issues, and had actually started to resume regular day-to-day activities without problem.
(************** )The commotio cordis occasion reported here is noteworthy for broadening the medical spectrum of commotio cordis, considered that competitive basketball formerly had actually not been related to this reason for heart attack. Contact sports such as baseball/softball and hockey have actually controlled commotio cordis, owing to the higher possibility of physical contact and chest blows from hard-core projectiles (e.g., balls and pucks).
Dr Maron concludes, “In this report, we have underscored once again that commotio cordis can occur under virtually any circumstance where there is the possibility of physical bodily contact of any magnitude, or projectile-induced chest blows, but always when least expected. This may be the best-documented case we have of commotio cordis, which should go a long way to dispel skepticism.”
Reference: “Commotio cordis…once again: Unusual occurrence in a noncontact sport” by Barry J. Maron, Ethan J. Rowin and Martin S. Maron, 13 November 2023, HeartRhythm Case Reports
DOI: 10.1016/ j.hrcr.202310013
