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Related Experiment Videos

Commotio cordis.

Christopher Madias1, Barry J Maron, Alawi A Alsheikh-Ali

  • 1Cardiac Arrhythmia Center, Division of Cardiology,Tufts-New England Medical Center, Boston, MA 02111, USA.

Indian Pacing and Electrophysiology Journal
|October 25, 2007
PubMed
Summary
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Commotio Cordis (CC) is sudden cardiac death from blunt chest trauma, often striking young athletes. Mechano-electric coupling during a vulnerable cardiac window triggers ventricular fibrillation (VF), causing instantaneous death.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Sports Medicine
  • Biophysics

Background:

  • Commotio Cordis (CC) is a cause of sudden arrhythmic death due to blunt chest trauma.
  • Over 180 cases are documented in the US Commotio Cordis Registry, predominantly affecting young athletes.
  • Victims experience instantaneous death, often in ventricular fibrillation (VF), with no autopsy evidence of structural cardiac damage.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the underlying mechanisms of sudden death in Commotio Cordis.
  • To identify critical variables influencing CC induction.
  • To evaluate current protective measures and suggest improvements.

Main Methods:

  • Development of an experimental model using anesthetized juvenile swine.
  • Induction of ventricular fibrillation (VF) via chest impacts during a specific vulnerable window before the T wave peak.
Keywords:
AthletesCommotio cordisMechano-electric couplingSudden DeathVentricular Fibrillation

Related Experiment Videos

  • Analysis of impact velocity, location, and object hardness.

    • Main Results:

    • Chest impacts during the vulnerable window before the T wave peak instantaneously induced VF.
    • Impact velocity, location, and object hardness were identified as critical variables.
    • Mechano-electric coupling, involving mechano-sensitive ion channels, was implicated in triggering VF through altered myocardial activation.

    Conclusions:

    • Commotio Cordis is triggered by mechano-electric coupling, leading to ventricular fibrillation.
    • Current sports chest protectors are inadequate for preventing CC.
    • Improved protective gear and accessible automated external defibrillators are recommended for youth sports safety.