Citation

Menezes RG, Fatima H, Hussain SA, Ahmed S, Singh PK, Kharoshah MA, Madadin M, Ram P, Pant S, Luis SA. Med. Sci. Law 2017; 57(3): 146-151.

Affiliation

School of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2017, British Academy of Forensic Sciences, Publisher SAGE Publishing)

DOI

10.1177/0025802417712883

PMID

28587536

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.

Language: en

Keywords

Commotio cordis; arrhythmia; autopsy; blunt impact to the chest; sudden cardiac death