Damar Hamlin Commotio Cordis
Just 9 minutes into the game, Cincinnati Bengals' wide receiver Tee Higgins collided with Buffalo Bills' Damar Hamlin at full speed. After the impact on Hamlin's chest, he initially stood up, adjusted his helmet, and took two steps before collapsing limp. For the next eighteen minutes, he would be receiving on-field medical attention, involving CPR administration and an automated external defibrillator (AED). Eventually, an ambulance arrived to convey Hamlin to the hospital while his teammates shielded him from public attention.
How did Hamlin go into cardiac arrest?
Inducing cardiac arrest through blunt trauma requires two factors: a forceful impact and precise timing within a narrow 15-millisecond window during the cardiac cycle. The hit must be powerful enough to trigger arrhythmia and arrest the heart. If the hit occurs outside this timeframe, the risk of cardiac arrest significantly lowers.
Despite the physicality of the NFL, such incidents are extremely uncommon, with approximately thirty cases reported annually across the United States. Damar Hamlin unfortunately fell within this 15-millisecond time frame, causing him to go into cardiac arrest.
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR):
If CPR is performed on a patient immediately, it can double or triple the odds of survival. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) acts as a vital lifesaving technique used in emergencies, where someone's breathing or heartbeat may stop during a heart attack or near-drowning event. Typically, one cycle of CPR includes 30 compressions done per 2 breaths of oxygen. For CPR to be effective, rescuers should perform five cycles in two minutes.
Damar Hamlin was administered CPR twice, once on the field, and once after entering the hospital. On the field, Denny Kellington, assistant athletic trainer for the Bills, immediately began performing CPR on Hamlin after he collapsed. His heartbeat was restored and he was transferred to the UC Medical Center for further testing and treatment.
Hamlin later expressed, "I owe Denny my life, literally. He loves to say he was just doing his job, which is true, you know? And that night, he was literally the savior of my life." He went on to say, "I'm truly thankful for and I don't take [Denny] for granted."
Recovery:
On January 11, 2023, Hamlin was discharged from Buffalo General Medical Center after spending nine days in the hospital. The Buffalo Bills released a statement explaining Hamlin's rehabilitation, which would take place at home with the support of his teammates. Dr. Jamie Nadler, part of the medical team assisting Hamlin, ensured his safe discharge along with an extensive medical evaluation that included cardiac, neurological, and vascular testing.
Despite being in critical condition, Hamlin demonstrated significant neurological improvement and consistent lung healing. He reached a point where he could open his eyes, grip his hands, and display substantial improvement. Hamlin remained under sedation to increase chances of successful recovery, and efforts were made to encourage independent breathing.
Dr. Merije T. Chukumerije, a cardiologist, emphasized Hamlin’s age and physical health: factors that could greatly enhance his chances of survival despite the relatively low odds associated with successful CPR.
Sources:
“Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR): First Aid.” Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 27 July 2023, www.mayoclinic.org/first-aid/first-aid-cpr/basics/art-20056600. Accessed 29 Jan. 2024.
Hanson, Sophie. “What Happened To Damar Hamlin? He Called Medical Staff ‘Family’ After Recovery.” StyleCaster, 13 July 2023, https://stylecaster.com/entertainment/culture/1349088/what-happened-damar-hamlin/. Accessed 29 Jan. 2024.
Kekatos, Mary, et al. “Damar Hamlin Opens up about His ‘remarkable’ Recovery in New Interview.” ABC News, ABC News Network, 12 Feb. 2023, https://abcnews.go.com/Sports/damar-hamlin-opens-remarkable-recovery-new-interview/story?id=97029951. Accessed 29 Jan. 2024.