Heart Doctor Delivered Incredibly Revealing Twitter Thread During Christian Eriksen’s Collapse
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Christian Eriksen's sudden collapse during Saturday's Denmark vs Finland match was a shocking and traumatic moment.
Chiefly for Eriksen's family, friends and teammates on the pitch. But it was also harrowing for those simply following the game - in part because nobody knew what was happening as the distressing scenes unfolded, with the unconscious player given urgent CPR.
However a cardiologist, Dr Sadi Raza, helped give live information to concerned football fans with a thread that explained what he could see happening. It's an eye-opening read - and has proved to be remarkably accurate.
The Danish national team confirmed the day after the match (which was suspended, before controversially resuming) that Eriksen went into cardiac arrest. But Dr Raza explained that was the likely scenario as he watched.
"Based on the TV coverage it is likely that Eriksen went into Ventricular Tachycardia/Fibrillation. This is a fast, irregular and highly unorganised electrical rhythm of the heart that precedes a cardiac arrest," he said.
Thread on #ChristianEriksen Based on the tv coverage it is likely that Eriksen went into Ventricular Tachycardia/Fibrillation. This is a fast, irregular and highly unorganized electrical rhythm of the heart that precedes a cardiac arrest.
- Sadi Raza, MD FACC (@SadiRazaMD) June 12, 2021
Dr Raza went on to praise the referee and medical staff for their quick actions, before explaining that CPR and defibrillators were being used to "shock" Eriksen's heart back into a normal rhythm.
All the information that has been released in the days since confirmed what Dr Raza was saying on Saturday. The heart specialist also updated concerned supporters on the likely next steps, saying: "He will undergo a battery of tests to rule out structural heart disease, electrical abnormalities, electrolyte abnormalities, ischemia etc."
Fortunately his team and the ref quickly alerted the medical staff and ACLS protocols were initiated. On tv we saw CPR and an AED being used, the latter of which was used to "shock" his heart back into a normal rhythm.
- Sadi Raza, MD FACC (@SadiRazaMD) June 12, 2021
It highlights the importance of having AEDs available and accessible in public areas and where athletic competition takes place, they are life saving.
- Sadi Raza, MD FACC (@SadiRazaMD) June 12, 2021
Eriksen now starts his journey as a heart patient as his medical team will work to identify the causes, reversible and irreversible, of his arrest. Fortunately he is alive and at the end of the day that is what is most important.
- Sadi Raza, MD FACC (@SadiRazaMD) June 12, 2021
The hope for all our patients is the same, to allow them to be able to do the things they enjoy and spend time with those they love.
- Sadi Raza, MD FACC (@SadiRazaMD) June 12, 2021
For those who want more medical detail the cause of his arrhythmia now needs to be determined. He will undergo a battery of tests to rule out structural heart disease, electrical abnormalities, electrolyte abnormalities, ischemia etc etc. Happy to answer questions.
- Sadi Raza, MD FACC (@SadiRazaMD) June 12, 2021
He finished by adding that he was "happy to answer questions" and later provided a guide to CPR, encouraging people to learn the basics.
Many football fans followed up with questions, which Dr Raza went through.
Here is a guide courtesy of the @American_Heart on how to do CPR on adults, children, infants and even pets. Learn it, it could safe a life #ChristianEriksen pic.twitter.com/0YYMje8Ruz
- Sadi Raza, MD FACC (@SadiRazaMD) June 12, 2021
While still an distressing event, even to those just watching, Dr Raza's thread helped provide solid information to people on social media.
It also highlighted the excellent work of the players, officials, on-field medical staff and the life-saving importance of understanding first aid. Even days later, it is still remarkably valuable insight.
Featured image credit: PA Images
Topics: Football, Euro 2020, Denmark, Twitter, Christian Eriksen
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