How is commotio cordis treated?
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May 11, 2017
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Dr. Jeffrey Rayborn talks about how treatment within 3 minutes can save a life.
How is commotio cordis treated?
Commotio cordis treatment centers around quick, rapid response by bystanders to give appropriate CPR, and as quickly as possible defibrillation with an AED. The quicker an AED can be obtained and the athlete be shocked back into a regular cardiac rhythm, greatly enhances survival. There have been studies that have clearly shown the window is approximately three minutes. The athlete has a much higher chance of survival if the CPR and potentially the shock can be given within a three minute time period from their collapse.
If an AED is not immediately available, CPR should be continued as 9-1-1 or emergency response is initiated, until the emergency personnel can arrive to aide the athlete.