On Monday night, Buffalo Bills defensive back Damar Hamlin was rushed to a local hospital after collapsing on the field following a tackle. Medical personnel used CPR and a defibrillator to restore his heartbeat. While the exact cause of the collapse is still uncertain, doctors suspect that a rare type of trauma called commotio cordis, or cardiac concussion, may be to blame. This type of arrhythmia occurs when the heart is unable to work effectively and blood pressure can drop dramatically. It is triggered by a blow to the chest of sufficient velocity and power, "at the exact right moment in the cardiac cycle," according to Dr. Christopher Labos, a cardiologist in Montreal.
Dr. Mark Link of the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center estimates that this type of cardiac arrest occurs "probably 20 times a year" in the U.S., with about 60 per cent of those affected surviving. The main concern for survivors is brain damage from lack of oxygen when the heart stops pumping blood.
The incident shook the Buffalo Bills players and personnel, and the family of Damar Hamlin is thankful for the outpouring of support. He remains sedated and in critical condition in an intensive care unit in Cincinnati, and doctors are doing all they can to ensure a positive outcome.