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Cardiac concussion (commotio cordis)

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  21 May 2015

Rahim Valani ,
Angelo Mikrogianakis  and
Ran D. Goldman
Rahim Valani
Affiliation:
Division of Pediatric Emergency Medicine, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ont.
Angelo Mikrogianakis
Affiliation:
Division of Pediatric Emergency Medicine, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ont.
Ran D. Goldman*
Affiliation:
Division of Pediatric Emergency Medicine, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ont.
*
Division of Emergency Services, Hospital for Sick Children, 555 University Ave., Toronto ON M5G 1X8; 416 813-4915, fax 416 813-5043, [email protected]

Abstract

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Blunt chest trauma in pediatric patients can result in various injuries to the myocardium. Cardiac concussion (commotio cordis) is seen in patients in whom the precordium has been struck with relatively little force at a vulnerable period of the cardiac cycle. These patients have no predisposing cardiac problems, and autopsy reveals no evidence of heart damage. The usual clinical presentation is that of immediate collapse secondary to a lethal arrhythmia. Prevention is the cornerstone of potentially decreasing the incidence with the aid of safety equipment and, possibly, immediate defibrillation.

Keywords

commotio cordischest traumapediatricdefibrillationresuscitation
Type
Pediatric Em • Pédiatrie D’urgence
Information
Canadian Journal of Emergency Medicine , Volume 6 , Issue 6 , November 2004 , pp. 428 - 430
Copyright
Copyright © Canadian Association of Emergency Physicians 2004

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