COMMOTIO CORDIS
AND MEDICO-LEGAL EVALUATION
Asirdizer M, Isler
H, Yavuz MS.
Journal of Forensic Medicine (Turkish), 2001; 15 (2): 74-8.
ABSTRACT
Commotio cordis is a clinical picture of sudden cardiac death caused by immediate
cardiac arrest as the result of low-energy impact to the chest wall without apparent structural damage in heart and viscera.
it usually occurs during sportive activities like baseball, ice hockey due to impact of projectile to the chest wall or during
daily activities in the home, school, play ground. In the last years, cases are reported caused by vehicle accidents or homicide.
Similar cases may be observed in medico legal practice. In this paper, we aim to initiate a broad discussion on the topic
of commotio cordis in the medico legal framework.
Key words: commotio cordis, trauma, forensic medicine.
