Commotio Cordis: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment

Introduction

Commotio cordis is a rare but potentially life-threatening condition caused by a sudden impact to the chest, typically during sports or recreational activities. Let’s delve into the key aspects of commotio cordis:

Causes

1. Blunt Chest Trauma:
2. Commotio cordis occurs when a direct blow to the chest impacts the heart during a specific phase of the cardiac cycle.
3. The impact disrupts the heart’s electrical activity, leading to arrhythmias.
4. Timing Matters:
5. The blow must occur during a vulnerable window (usually 15-30 milliseconds before the peak of the T-wave on the ECG).
6. Sports equipment (e.g., baseball, hockey puck) can cause such impacts.

Symptoms

• Sudden Collapse: The affected person collapses immediately after the chest impact.
• Loss of Consciousness: Due to arrhythmias affecting blood flow to the brain.
• Cardiac Arrest: The heart stops beating effectively.

Treatment

1. Immediate Response:
2. Call 911: Seek emergency medical help.
3. CPR: Begin cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) if the person is unresponsive.
4. Automated External Defibrillator (AED): If available, use an AED to restore normal heart rhythm.
5. Hospital Care:
6. Advanced Life Support: Administered by medical professionals.
7. Monitoring: Continuous ECG monitoring.
8. Defibrillation: If needed, to restore normal heart rhythm.
9. Prevention:
10. Protective Gear: Use chest protectors in sports.
11. Awareness: Educate athletes, coaches, and parents about commotio cordis risks.

Remember, prompt recognition and immediate action are critical for better outcomes in cases of commotio cordis.