Damar Hamlin’s rapid recovery: Medical experts weigh in

While news of Damar Hamlin’s hospital release has prompted optimism that he will make a full recovery after his January 2 cardiac arrest, medical experts believe there’s still reason to exercise caution regarding the Buffalo Bill safety’s future.

As fans speculate as to if Hamlin will return to the field, physicians expect extensive testing and evaluation to be conducted before that could even be considered.

Determining treatment

To get a better look at what's next for Hamlin, MDLinx spoke with two of its medical advisors, Vincent Carr, DO, FACC, FACP, CHCQM-PHYADV, and James Beckerman, MD, FACC.

After doctors removed his endotracheal tube, Hamlin was released from a Cincinnati, OH, hospital and moved to a facility in Buffalo, NY, which he was released from on January 11 to continue rehab efforts at home.

“Mr. Hamlin's ability to breathe on his own, communicate, and experience intact neurological function is incredibly positive news,” Dr. Beckerman commented when Hamlin was still in the Cincinnati hospital. “He is lucky to have been resuscitated by an excellent team of professionals and to have had access to early CPR and defibrillation.”

The course of Hamlin’s treatment, however, will depend on what led to his cardiac arrest in the first place. Although some cardiologists and sports medicine doctors have speculated that commotio cordis is a possible cause for Hamlin’s cardiac arrest, his doctors have yet to confirm that’s what occurred.

“His medical team will be working to identify any potential causes of his sudden cardiac arrest other than commotio cordis, as this may impact his treatment,” Dr. Beckerman said.

An underlying cause is just one missing piece in the larger picture of Hamlin’s cardiac arrest and recovery. Given the improvements in his condition in the week after the incident, what can be expected for Hamlin moving forward?

Hamlin to be evaluated

Ideally, Hamlin would soon join his teammates in another epic entrance onto the field at their next game. And although clinicians are impressed by his progress, it may be too early to arrive at a definitive prognosis.

“If he does not, and his neurological evaluation shows no damage from his period of limited blood flow to the brain, his recovery may be short, with a full return to his football career,” Dr. Carr said.

Dr. Beckerman echoed those sentiments, also calling attention to the fact that the “psychological impact of sudden cardiac arrest should never be underestimated.”

Next steps in recovery

As far as future milestones go, Dr. Carr suspected that Hamlin will be completing a diagnostic workup, cardiac catheterization, cardiac MRI, and potential electrophysiologic studies to determine whether ventricular arrhythmia can be induced.

Further testing may also reveal if Hamlin will require an implanted defibrillator, which could determine his future in the NFL.

It certainly appears as if Hamlin is recovering well. And in Dr. Beckerman’s view, while his future participation in football remains uncertain, it is looking as if he will be able to be discharged from the hospital soon.

“May we all wish that Damar Hamlin will be able to return to football,” Dr. Carr said. “We all must be prepared to support him and every player who has been injured playing competitive football, hockey, basketball, baseball, etc., as they have all contributed to the excitement of the games enjoyed by many.”