The University of Toledo Translation Journal of Medical Sciences 
Internal Medicine Abstract, Department of Medicine Research Symposium UTJMS 2023 May 5; 11(1):e1-e1 

Ventricular Fibrillation Arrest after Blunt 
Chest Trauma in a 33-year-old Male, 
Commotio Cords? 
C. Pena, MD1*, N. Patel, MD1, Z. Nesheiwat, DO1, F. Zafrullah1, and E. Eltahawy,
MD2

1Division of Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, The University of Toledo, 
Toledo, OH 43614 
2Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, The University of 
Toledo, Toledo, OH 43614 

*Corresponding author: clarissa.pena@utoledo.edu

Published: 05 May 2023 

Background: Commotio cordis is an event in which a blunt, non-penetrating blow to the chest occurs. 
This triggers a life-threatening arrhythmia and often sudden death. This phenomenon is predominately 
seen in young, male athletes. We present a case in which ventricular fibrillation occurs in an older male 
athlete after blunt trauma. 

Case Presentation: A patient with no known medical history was brought to the emergency department 
after being found unconscious secondary to ventricular fibrillation after a soccer ball kick to the chest. 
He was subsequently resuscitated on the soccer field. The patient was admitted to the hospital. Initial lab 
workup was significant for elevated troponin and lactate, which returned to normal levels. An 
echocardiogram showed global left ventricular systolic dysfunction with an estimated ejection fraction 
of 45–50%. Coronary angiography demonstrated nonobstructive coronary arteries. The patient was 
diagnosed with commotio cordis and discharged from the hospital in stable condition. Follow-up 
investigations included an echocardiogram which continued to demonstrate low ejection fraction and 
event monitor demonstrating frequent polymorphic ventricular tachycardia with periods of asystole.  

Conclusion: This case is unique in that blunt trauma to the chest from a soccer ball immediately 
triggered ventricular fibrillation in a patient with a possible cardiomyopathy. It is possible that the blunt 
trauma caused primary commotio cordis that led to cardiomyopathy in a previously healthy man, or that 
an underlying cardiomyopathy made it more likely for this to occur. Increased awareness and prevention 
efforts of blunt chest trauma are required to reduce the associated life-threatening arrhythmias.  

https://dx.doi.org/10.46570/utjms.vol11-2023-713 

https://dx.doi.org/10.46570/utjms.vol11-2023-713
mailto:clarissa.pena@utoledo.edu