Medical Experts Weigh in on NFL Player Damar Hamlin’s Near Fatal Cardiac Episode
After days of being in critical condition due to cardiac arrest, Bills player Damar Hamlin is awake and showing signs of improvement
As University of Cincinnati Health doctors confirm Buffalo Bills' safety Damar Hamlin is awake and able to move his hands and feet, as well as communicate by writing notes, experts reveal possible causes of the shocking incident.
As yet there has been a non-public announcement about what happened to Hamlin, who has been in the Intensive Care Unit at a Cincinnati hospital since Monday night following his collapse on the field after suffering cardiac arrest during the Bills game against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Dallas-based Cardiology Specialist, Dr. Mohammad Nasrullah Khan says Hamlin was hit in the chest during a moment in the cardiac cycle that caused his heart to malfunction and stop beating, “though it is very, very, very uncommon, it is possible.”
Dr. Maria Viqar, a Cardiac Electrophysiologist, agrees that Hamlin likely suffered from commotio cordis, the Latin term for chest trauma.
“This trauma or forceful hit to the chest can occur during a critical time of the heartbeat,” said Viqar. “It would throw your heart rhythm off and causes an erratic heartbeat, which is called ventricular fibrillation. This is essentially another name for sudden cardiac arrest and it can happen even if someone does not have an existing heart condition.”
During the televised live game last weekend, the 24-year-old was seen being hit, standing up and then suddenly falling to the ground while staff from both teams rushed to his aid. The ambulance arrived on the field moments later as medics performed CPR. The stadium fell silent as fans looked onto the field where both teams stood in a tight huddle around their injured peer.
“I think their guidelines are very up-to-date, and I don't think they have any issue,” said Khan. “They may add something after this incident. They do screen for all kinds of cardiovascular problems because this is a contact sport and things can happen. I don't know how they can prevent it, maybe by putting more padding on the left side or chest. I'm sure they're going to look into it and try to find out.”
Players have had concerns about heart conditions for decades and other injuries surrounding concussions. While the N.F.L. does not release data related to heart conditions, there has been more information about CTE, which stands for Chronic traumatic encephalopathy. This is a progressive and fatal brain disease associated with repeated traumatic brain injuries (TBIs).
The issue was reignited earlier in the season after Miami Dolphins’ Tua Tagovailoa suffered back-to-back concussions, which resulted in a brief hospitalization.
The National Institute of Health (NIH) has just taken a lead on head injuries, and recently confirmed a link between traumatic brain injuries in contact sports and CTE.
N.F.L.’s chief medical officer, Dr. Allen Sills, says the N.F.L. will investigate all possible causes of the incident involving Hamlin. Along with the N.F.L. Players Association, it is responsible for keeping athletes safe through safety guidelines and rules that limit risky behavior.
Dr. Viqar says placing Hamlin on a ventilator in the ICU, is part of the routine procedure for someone who has experienced cardiac arrest, in order for the body to heal completely.
“For recovery, immediate CPR is critical in any situation, and returning back to play would depend on many factors,” she says. “The most important would be to find out the exact cause of the sudden cardiac arrest.”
The league releases weekly injury reports, however, details are limited and often only indicate whether or not an athlete will play that week.
Dr. Timothy Pritts, a member of Hamlin’s medical team, told CNN that he might have a long road to recovery as there are many steps to be taken.
Although Hamlin is showing signs of neurological recovery, he is still unable to breathe without the ventilator. Currently, doctors still do not know the exact cause of his cardiac arrest.
