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Commotio cordis: a deadly consequence of chest trauma

G M Vincent1, H McPeak

  • 1Department of Medicine, LDS Hospital, Salt Lake City, UT, 84143, USA. ldgvince@ihc.com.

The Physician and Sportsmedicine
|January 21, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Commotio cordis, sudden death from chest trauma without heart injury, is rare but often fatal. Prevention through education and protective gear is crucial for athletes.

Area of Science:

  • Sports Medicine
  • Cardiology
  • Trauma Research

Background:

  • Commotio cordis is a sudden cardiac event caused by blunt chest trauma without apparent cardiac damage.
  • It commonly leads to ventricular fibrillation, heart block, or bundle branch block.
  • This condition, though rare, has a low survival rate even with prompt resuscitation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To summarize the phenomenon of commotio cordis.
  • To highlight its causes, effects, and incidence in sports.
  • To discuss preventive strategies and emergency preparedness.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of reported commotio cordis cases.
  • Analysis of associated arrhythmias and outcomes.
  • Evaluation of current and proposed preventive measures.

Main Results:

  • Commotio cordis most frequently occurs in baseball, but also in hockey and softball.
  • Reported incidence is 2-4 cases annually, with true incidence unknown.
  • Survival rates are low, underscoring the severity of the condition.

Conclusions:

  • Commotio cordis necessitates increased awareness among athletes, coaches, and medical personnel.
  • Preventive measures include enhanced protective equipment and modified equipment (e.g., softer balls).
  • Availability of automated external defibrillators and trained responders at sporting events is vital.

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