title: Commotio cordis in two amateur ice hockey players despite the use of commercial chest protectors: case reports.
abstract: We describe two recent deaths in 15-year-old male ice hockey players. Both adolescents died of commotio cordis from chest impacts by ice hockey pucks despite their use of commercially designed and manufactured chest protectors. Commotio cordis is discussed as a preventable sports-related injury in the adolescent age group, and the need for improved chest protective equipment in preventing such injuries is also examined.
authors.affiliation: Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, State of New Hampshire, Concord 03301.
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Kaplan
authors.forename: P S
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: Karofsky
authors.forename: G A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Volturo
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D006323:Heart Arrest / Q000209:etiology; D006335:Heart Injuries / Q000150:complications; D006688:Hockey / Q000293:injuries*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011481:Protective Clothing; D013898:Thoracic Injuries / Q000150:complications; D014949:Wounds, Nonpenetrating / Q000150:complications