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Journal Article

Citation

Zheng N, Liang M, Liu Y, Liu L, Zhu SH. J. Forensic Sci. 2013; 58(1): 245-247.

Affiliation

Faculty of Forensic Medicine, Tongji Medical College of Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Hangkong Road 13#, Qiaokou District, Wuhan, HuBei, 430030, China; Department of Forensic Medicine, Shantou University Medical College, Xinling Road 22#, Shantou, Guangdon, 515041, China.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2013, American Society for Testing and Materials, Publisher John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1111/j.1556-4029.2012.02292.x

PMID

23082987

Abstract

Commotio cordis is a rare and fatal mechano-electric arrhythmogenic syndrome, occurring mainly during sports activities. The present study describes two similar cases of sudden death caused by commotio cordis associated with homicide. The two decedents were both 15-year-old male teenagers. Both collapsed within several minutes after being punched in the precordial region, as observed by witnesses at the scenes. Although electrocardiograms were not recorded at the scenes or the hospitals, the sudden onset of cardiovascular, respiratory, and neural symptoms were consistent with sudden cardiac death caused by commotio cordis. Autopsy and forensic morphology both revealed no cardiac or pericardiac structural damage, evident lesions of other internal organs, or underlying diseases, along with negative toxicological analysis, conforming to criteria for diagnosis of commotio cordis. The diagnosis of commotio cordis by forensic pathologists is important in deliberating a verdict of homicide, especially involuntary homicide. In rare instances, a death caused by commotio cordis may have a homicide manner of death.


Language: en

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