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Published on: April 17, 2021
Coronary embolization in bullet wounds: role of perioperative coronary angiography
Olivier Raisky1, Olivier Metton, Roland Henaine
1Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Hôpital Louis Pradel, Bron, France. oraisky@yahoo.com
Insights
Chest gunshot wounds causing myocardial ischemia require prompt diagnosis. Emergency coronary angiography is crucial for identifying pellet-induced artery occlusion and guiding treatment.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Trauma Surgery
- Emergency Medicine
Background:
- Management of myocardial ischemia following chest gunshot wounds is not well-defined.
- Prompt diagnosis and intervention are critical for patient outcomes.
Observation:
- A patient presented with signs of cardiac tamponade and ST segment elevation after a gunshot wound.
- Initial surgical exploration revealed no coronary artery lesions.
Findings:
- Emergency coronary angiography identified acute right coronary artery occlusion by a pellet.
- Successful surgical extraction of the pellet was performed on bypass.
Implications:
- Coronary angiography should be considered in patients with chest pellet wounds and ischemic signs.
- This diagnostic approach can reveal otherwise occult coronary artery injuries.
Abstract:
The management of patients presenting with signs of myocardial ischemia after a gunshot injury to the chest remains unclear. We report the case of 1 patient shot by a hunting weapon, presenting with clinical signs of tamponade and marked ST segment elevation. At the time of emergency exploration, no coronary lesions were seen. However, an emergency angiogram revealed acute occlusion of the right coronary artery by a pellet. Extraction was done on bypass. We believe that coronary angiography is necessary in case of pellet wounds to the chest presenting with signs of ischemia.
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