A matter of milliseconds may need been the distinction between Damar Hamlin persevering with on to the following play relatively than collapsing and in want of lifesaving measures.
“If you get hit in the chest,” University of Maryland Medical System heart specialist Dr. Scott Jerome stated, “if it occurs between heartbeats in a really small window, it will probably put the guts in ventricular fibrillation.
“The heart stops beating,” stated Jerome, an assistant professor of medication.
Hamlin, a security for the Buffalo Bills, was in crucial situation Monday evening after struggling cardiac arrest in a collision with Cincinnati Bengals extensive receiver Tee Higgins. He bought up however then collapsed, and as these within the stadium and a “Monday Night Football” viewers watched aghast, medical personnel administered CPR and an automatic exterior defibrillator, or AED, was used on him. He was taken by ambulance to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center.
“Damar Hamlin suffered a cardiac arrest following a hit in our game versus the Bengals. His heartbeat was restored on the field and he was transferred to the UC Medical Center for further testing and treatment,” the Bills stated in a press release round 2 a.m. Tuesday. “He is currently sedated and listed in critical condition.”
Jerome, who was not watching the sport however checked out replays, stated late Monday evening that it appeared that Hamlin suffered commotio cordis, Latin for “agitation of the heart,” from being struck within the chest at a selected time within the coronary heart rhythm cycle. That causes an interruption within the coronary heart’s electrical sign, and cardiac arrest.
“It’s a very narrow window,” Jerome stated.
The phenomenon has been seen in youth baseball and in lacrosse when balls strike gamers within the chest, he stated.
And certainly, on April 16, 2021, Loyola Blakefield defenseman Peter Laake was struck within the chest by a shot throughout a recreation in opposition to McDonogh and collapsed. Team employees and two medical doctors within the stands rushed to deal with him, utilizing an AED, earlier than he was taken to a hospital. After a short hospital keep and checks, he was cleared to play and this fall dedicated to the University of Maryland.
Young athletes are extra weak in contrast with older, skilled athletes who’re extra able to absorbing the blow.
“These football players, they’re beefy and have a lot to absorb the hit,” Jerome stated.
Commotio cordis is uncommon, with fewer than 30 instances reported yearly, in keeping with an article within the National Library of Medicine.
Jerome stated the prognosis ought to be “pretty good” for Hamlin, on condition that “they have all the medical equipment on the field.”
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Source: www.bostonherald.com