August 10, 1995New England Journal of Medicine
Blunt Impact to the Chest Leading to Sudden Death from Cardiac Arrest during Sports Activities
Key result
Among 25 children and young adults, blunt impact to the chest during sports or recreational activities caused sudden cardiac arrest, with normal rhythm restored in only 2 victims who subsequently died.
Population
25 children and young adults, 3 to 19 years of age, who experienced sudden death from cardiac arrest after a…
Design
Case_series
Authors
Discussion
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Implication
Warrants vigilance for commotio cordis in youth sports; extends case documentation but leaves open optimal prevention strategies.
Study Design
Type
Observational (n=25)
Structured PICO
P
Population
25 children and young adults, 3 to 19 years of age, who experienced sudden death from cardiac arrest after a blunt blow to the chest in the absence of structural cardiovascular disease or traumatic injury.
O
Outcome
Clinical features and circumstances of sudden death from cardiac arrest after blunt chest impacthard clinical
Blunt impact to the chest during sports can cause sudden death from cardiac arrest (commotio cordis) in young people without structural heart disease, likely due to ventricular dysrhythmia.
Cite This Study
Maron et al. (1995) conducted an observational in Sudden death from cardiac arrest after blunt chest impact (commotio cordis) (n=25). Blunt impact to the chest was evaluated on Clinical features of sudden death from cardiac arrest after blunt chest impact. Among 25 children and young adults, blunt impact to the chest during sports or recreational activities caused sudden cardiac arrest, with normal rhythm restored in only 2 victims who subsequently died.