ABSTRACT
Despite the use of protective gear, a 15-year-old hockey player died when he was struck in the chest by a puck. This is the fifth recorded hockey death related to so-called commotio cordis, that is, blunt chest injury without myocardial structural damage. In light of inadequacies of commercial chest protectors currently in use for hockey, the authors hope to educate players and coaches about the danger of blocking shots with the chest. Physicians should be aware that commotio cordis represents a distinctive pathological condition, in the event of which immediate recognition, precordial thump, CPR, and defibrillation are potentially lifesaving. Appropriate medical supervision at amateur hockey games, 911 telephone access, and on-site automated external defibrillators are issues that deserve careful consideration.
Subject(s)
Death, Sudden, Cardiac/etiology , Hockey/injuries , Thoracic Injuries/complications , Ventricular Fibrillation/etiology , Wounds, Nonpenetrating/complications , Adolescent , Humans , MaleABSTRACT
Patients presenting to the emergency departments in Kingston, Ontario, between 1 October 1992 and 30 April 1993 with head, face, and neck injuries from playing ice hockey, regardless of the age of the player or whether the play was recreational or league, were enrolled in this prospective descriptive case series analysis to document the type and mechanism of injury in relation to the use of protective head and neck gear. A total of 119 such injuries were seen, 84 (71%) of which were lacerations. Players aged 20-34 years were most frequently injured, most commonly through contact with sticks and pucks while wearing helmets but no face shields. Strict enforcement of the rules is required to minimize injuries. Further study is required to determine the reasons for the incomplete protection afforded by helmets and face shields noted here.
