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During the Bills vs. Bengals game in Cincinnati last night a 24-year-old young man, Damar Hamlin, sustained a direct hit to the chest that likely resulted in his sudden cardiac arrest. The medical term is commotio cordis. That impact to the left chest distorts the myocardium and results in ventricular fibrillation in an otherwise healthy heart.
First, let me say those paramedics are heroes!! They administered CPR and AED on the field for more than nine minutes, successfully restarting his heart with millions of people watching! Accompanied by his mother, he was then transported via ambulance to the UC Medical Center where he was sedated and intubated. He remains in critical condition.
Many are asking how this could happen as a result of what appeared to be a hard but fairly common collision. It is all about the timing. If commotio cordis is, in fact, the diagnosis, the impact had to occur in a specific window of time during the heart rhythm that lasts only milliseconds. The EKG below highlights that window. That is why it is a rare occurrence.
When Damar Hamlin collapsed, of course, play was suspended. Teammates, coaches, staff, and fans were absolutely devastated. And, after almost an hour, the game was indefinitely postponed.
The Hamlin family released a lovely statement just hours ago expressing their gratitude for all the love and support. All we can do now is send positive energy and prayers their way. Well, almost…
Fans all over the world have been donating to a toy drive Damar Hamlin created in 2020 for his mother’s day care center with a goal of raising $2500. I believe he raised more than $15,000 at the time …which was absolutely awesome. Overnight, that number surpassed $3.3 million. The good that can come from these donations is a bright ray of sunshine in a very dark hour in the sports world.
God bless Damar Hamlin and his family. I’ve heard great things about the level one trauma care at UC Medical Center. I feel sure everything medically possible is being done for him.
