Commotio cordis: A review. (July 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Menezes, Ritesh G; Fatima, Huda; Hussain, Syed Ather; Ahmed, Saba; Singh, Pankaj Kumar; Kharoshah, Magdy A; Madadin, Mohammed; Ram, Pradhum; Pant, Sadip; Luis, Sushil Allen
• Is Part Of: Medicine, science and the law. Volume 57:Number 3(2017:Jul.)
• Page Start: 146
• Page End: 151
• Publication Date: 2017-07
• Subjects: Commotio cordis -- blunt impact to the chest -- sudden cardiac death -- arrhythmia -- autopsy; Forensic sciences -- Periodicals; Medical laws and legislation -- Great Britain -- Periodicals; 614.105
• DOI: 10.1177/0025802417712883
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0025-8024

Abstract

Commotio cordis is an increasingly reported fatal mechano-electric syndrome and is the second most common cause of sudden cardiac death in young athletes. It is most commonly associated with a sports-related injury, wherein, there is a high-velocity impact between a projectile and the precordium. By virtue of this impact, malignant arrhythmias consequently develop leading to the individual's immediate demise, accompanied by a relatively normal post-mortem analysis. The importance of an autopsy remains paramount to exclude other causes of sudden death. With increasing awareness and reporting, survival rates are beginning to improve; however, prevention of the development of this condition remains the best approach for survival.