Marked Variability in Susceptibility to Ventricular Fibrillation in an Experimental Commotio Cordis Model

Precordial blows in sports and daily activities can trigger ventricular fibrillation (VF) (commotio cordis). Whereas chest wall blows are common, commotio cordis is rare. Although factors such as timing, location, orientation, and energy of impact are critically important, we also hypothesize that there is individual susceptibility to commotio cordis. Using our model of commotio cordis, we evaluated individual animal susceptibility to VF induction and assessed animal characteristics that might be involved.