Does reduced diameter spheres increase the risk of chest blow-induced ventricular fibrillation ( commotio cordis )?
The shape of the projectile markedly influences the risk of VF from chest wall impact. This effect is likely mediated via a greater increase in left ventricular pressure with smaller diameter objects. Spreading the impact force over a larger area may decrease the risk of sudden death and has implications for the design of protective athletic equipment.
From our data is derived that the likelihood of homologous blood transfusion is greater in patients with a low baseline haemoglobin. However, in case of hip arthroplasty patients with a high baseline haemoglobin also profit from blood saving techniques while in case of knee arthroplasty the efficiency of blood saving techniques in a patient population with a high baseline haemoglobin is negligible. It seems to make sense to evaluate for the different kinds of surgery those patients who profit most from the different blood saving techniques.