Commotio cordis without arrhythmic event and resuscitation: ECG, echocardiographic, angiographic and cardiovascular resonance imaging study

BMJ Case Rep. 2012 Dec 12:2012:bcr0320113968. doi: 10.1136/bcr-03-2011-3968.

Abstract

We describe a case of commotio cordis in which the patient had an extensive cardiac evaluation, including ECGs, a coronary angiogram, a left ventriculogram, repeated echocardiography and cardiovascular MRI (CMRI). A healthy 17-year-old boy sustained an open-handed blow to the anterior part of the chest from a friend with whom he was playing. On admission ECG was performed that showed ST-T alterations and a TNI increase, with echocardiographic evidence of a localised pericardial effusion associated with a persistent myocardial blush at selective angiography. In addition, CMRI confirmed a local delayed enhancement in the same zone. An echocardiogram examination performed 30 days after discharge showed a complete disappearance of pericardial effusion and an improvement on ECG alterations. This is the first case report of a patient with commotio cordis, who did not show any arrhythmias and did not receive any resuscitation procedure, and was extensively studied by imaging methods.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Commotio Cordis / diagnosis*
  • Commotio Cordis / diagnostic imaging
  • Coronary Angiography
  • Electrocardiography
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • Resuscitation
  • Ultrasonography