Citation

Greenlees G, Govewalla P, Haqzad Y, Sharkey A, Cartwright N. Ann. Thorac. Surg. 2019; 108(1): e9-e10.

Affiliation

Northern General Hospital, Sheffield, United Kingdom- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2019, Society of Thoracic Surgeons, Publisher Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.athoracsur.2018.11.034

PMID

30571952

Abstract

Cardiac gunshot injuries are rare in the United Kingdom but are associated with significant morbidity and mortality. We present the case of a young male who was shot at close range with a small caliber air rifle. The projectile entered the thorax via the right axilla but was identified at the cardiac apex on initial imaging. Subsequent investigations demonstrated the pellet at the apex of the left ventricle. Potential for embolization was considered and the pellet retrieved after surgical exploration. No significant valvular injury was sustained despite the pellet's trajectory and the patient made an uncomplicated recovery.

Copyright © 2018. Published by Elsevier Inc.

Language: en