Commotio Cordis

Commotio cordis is a rare but serious condition that occurs when a sudden impact to the chest, often from a projectile like a baseball or hockey puck, disrupts the heart's normal rhythm. This impact typically happens at a very precise moment in the cardiac cycle, leading to potentially life-threatening arrhythmias. The heart can go into ventricular fibrillation, causing cardiac arrest. Immediate CPR and defibrillation are crucial for survival. While commotio cordis is most common in young athletes, it highlights the importance of safety gear in sports and quick access to emergency medical response.