Citation

Maron BJ, Ahluwalia A, Haas TS, Semsarian C, Link MS, Mark Estes NA. Heart Rhythm 2011; 8(12): 1969-1971.

Affiliation

The Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Center, Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation, Minneapolis, MN.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2011, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.hrthm.2011.07.014

PMID

21763255

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The commotio cordis literature has largely focused on events occurring in the U.S. However, with enhanced public awareness, commotio cordis has been increasingly recognized internationally as a cause of cardiac arrest and sudden death due to blunt non-penetrating chest blows. OBJECTIVE: To characterize the demographics of commotio cordis globally in comparison to the U.S. experience. METHODS: Interrogation of the Commotio Cordis Registry (Minneapolis, MN). RESULTS: We report 60 cases of commotio cordis occurring outside the U.S. from 21 countries (most commonly the United Kingdom and Canada), on 5 continents. In the 2 groups, events were largely similar demographically, including frequency of survival (26% vs. 25%; p = 0.84), and the striking male predominance evident in both groups (i.e., 95%), although non-U.S. victims were somewhat older (19 ± 13 vs. 15 ± 9; p = 0.002). Not unexpectedly, the groups differed with baseball/softball and football predominant in the U.S. (55% of events) and soccer, cricket, and hockey most common internationally (47% of events). Notably, the frequency with which soccer balls caused commotio cordis was much more common than expected, particularly in non-U.S. athletes (20% vs. 3% in U.S.; p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Commotio cordis demonstrates a global occurrence, very similar demographically in the U.S. and internationally. However, the frequency with which chest blows from soccer balls caused commotio cordis events (particularly during sports played internationally) appears to contradict the prevailing notion that air-filled projectiles convey less risk for ventricular fibrillation than do those with solid cores (e.g., baseball or lacrosse balls).

Language: en