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Updated: May 14, 2026
Technical Aspects of the Mouse Aortocaval Fistula
Published on: July 11, 2013
Bullet embolization from an aorto-caval fistula to the heart
George Z Pan1, Juan G Bastidas, Nahid W Hasaniya
1Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Loma Linda University Medical Center, Loma Linda, CA 92354, USA.
Insights
Bullet emboli to the heart are rare. This case details a gunshot wound causing a bullet to travel to the right ventricle, requiring surgical removal.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Surgery
- Trauma Surgery
- Interventional Cardiology
Background:
- Penetrating trauma, specifically gunshot wounds, can lead to rare complications.
- Bullet emboli to the heart are an infrequent but serious consequence of such injuries.
Abstract:
Bullet emboli to the heart as a result of penetrating trauma are rare. We report a case of a 19-year old male who suffered a gunshot wound to the abdomen, resulting in an aorto-caval fistula and subsequent venous embolization of the bullet to the right ventricle. Successful surgical removal of the foreign body under cardiopulmonary bypass was performed.