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Related Concept Videos

Disturbances in Heart Rhythm01:29

Disturbances in Heart Rhythm

Arrhythmia or dysrhythmia refers to an abnormal heart rhythm caused by a defect in the heart's conduction system. It can cause the heart to beat irregularly, too quickly, or too slowly, leading to symptoms like chest pain, shortness of breath, and fainting. Factors such as stress, caffeine, alcohol, nicotine, cocaine, certain drugs, congenital defects, diseases, and electrolyte abnormalities can trigger arrhythmias.
Arrhythmias are categorized by their speed, rhythm, and origin. A slow heart...
Introduction Cardiac Emergencies01:30

Introduction Cardiac Emergencies

Cardiac emergencies are critical situations involving the heart that require immediate medical intervention to prevent severe complications or death. These emergencies often arise from underlying heart conditions that impair the heart's ability to function correctly.Types of Cardiac EmergenciesThe most common types of cardiac emergencies include Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS), myocardial infarction (MI), cardiac arrest, and heart failure.Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS)Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS)...
Vascular Spasm01:16

Vascular Spasm

The vascular phase, also known as vasospasm, is the initial stage of hemostasis, crucial for preventing excessive bleeding when a blood vessel is injured. After a vessel is cut, nerves in the damaged area trigger pain and other sensory impulses. Simultaneously, the smooth muscles in the vessel wall contract, resulting in a vascular spasm. This contraction reduces the vessel's diameter at the injury site, slowing or stopping blood loss through the vessel wall. Vascular spasms typically last for...
The Cardiac Cycle01:13

The Cardiac Cycle

The heart beats rhythmically in a sequence called the cardiac cycle—a rapid coordination of contraction (systole) and relaxation (diastole).
The Process
Electrical signals—sent from the sinoatrial (SA) node in the right atrial wall to the atrioventricular (AV) node between the right atrium and right ventricle—cause both atria to simultaneously contract. When the signal reaches the AV node, it pauses for approximately a tenth of a second, allowing the atria to contract and empty blood into the...
Heart Sounds01:15

Heart Sounds

Heart sounds are generated by the turbulence in blood flow due to the closing of heart valves. These sounds are best perceived slightly away from the valves, where the blood flow disseminates the sound.
Auscultation is the process of listening to these internal body sounds using a stethoscope. The heart produces four types of sounds, but only two—S1 and S2—can usually be heard with a stethoscope.
S1, also known as the "lub" sound, is caused by the closure of atrioventricular (A-V) valves at the...
Increased pulse rate01:17

Increased pulse rate

Tachycardia is a condition marked by an abnormally fast or irregular heart rate, surpassing the typical resting rate. In adults, tachycardia is characterized by a pulse rate ranging from 100 to 180 beats per minute. The increased heart rate can result in inadequate blood flow to various body parts, ultimately diminishing the oxygen supply to organs and tissues.
Many factors can elevate the risk of developing tachycardia. These include advanced age, a family history of arrhythmias, and an...

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Standardized Model of Ventricular Fibrillation and Advanced Cardiac Life Support in Swine
05:36

Standardized Model of Ventricular Fibrillation and Advanced Cardiac Life Support in Swine

Published on: January 30, 2020

Commotio cordis.

Luis E Palacio1, Mark S Link

  • 1Tufts University Family Medicine Residency, Malden, Massachusetts.

Sports Health
|September 28, 2012
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Commotio cordis, a sudden cardiac death cause in athletes, results from chest trauma. Prevention through safety balls and AEDs, alongside improved chest protectors, can significantly reduce fatalities.

Keywords:
athletecommotio cordissudden cardiac death

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A Rat Model of Ventricular Fibrillation and Resuscitation by Conventional Closed-chest Technique
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Last Updated: May 18, 2026

Standardized Model of Ventricular Fibrillation and Advanced Cardiac Life Support in Swine
05:36

Standardized Model of Ventricular Fibrillation and Advanced Cardiac Life Support in Swine

Published on: January 30, 2020

A Rat Model of Ventricular Fibrillation and Resuscitation by Conventional Closed-chest Technique
09:47

A Rat Model of Ventricular Fibrillation and Resuscitation by Conventional Closed-chest Technique

Published on: April 26, 2015

Area of Science:

  • Sports Medicine
  • Cardiology
  • Emergency Medicine

Background:

  • Commotio cordis is blunt chest trauma causing fatal arrhythmias.
  • It is a significant cause of sudden cardiac death, particularly in athletes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the epidemiology of commotio cordis.
  • To discuss predisposing factors, diagnosis, treatment, and outcomes.
  • To provide return-to-play recommendations.

Main Methods:

  • A comprehensive literature search of PubMed (MEDLINE) was performed.
  • 26 relevant studies were selected from 106 initial results.
  • Included study types encompassed experimental models, case reports, and reviews.

Main Results:

  • Over 190 US cases reported, 47% in sports.
  • Impact timing, projectile factors, and inadequate chest protection contribute to commotio cordis.
  • Survival rates are low (15%) and highly dependent on rapid defibrillation (25% within 3 minutes).

Conclusions:

  • Preventive strategies like safety balls and readily available AEDs are crucial.
  • Enhanced chest protector design is needed.
  • Return-to-play decisions require clinical judgment due to limited reoccurrence data.