Which condition describes sudden cardiac arrest resulting from a blunt impact to the precordial area, often in athletes?

• A. Rib injury
• B. Commotio cordis
• C. Cardiac contusion
• D. Open pneumothorax

Answer: (B)

Commotio cordis is sudden cardiac arrest caused by a blunt blow to the chest, most often in athletes. The critical point is that the impact occurs at a very vulnerable moment in the heart’s electrical cycle, during the rapid repolarization phase, which can trigger ventricular fibrillation. This is an electrical disturbance rather than a structural injury to the heart. A rib injury would cause localized chest wall pain, not immediate collapse from an arrhythmia. A cardiac contusion involves bruising of the heart tissue after more forceful trauma and tends to present with ongoing symptoms rather than an abrupt, time‑locked arrest. An open pneumothorax presents with breathing difficulties and signs of air leakage into the chest, not the characteristic sudden ventricular arrhythmia after chest impact. The scenario described is classic for commotio cordis, underscoring the need for rapid CPR and defibrillation.