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A Shot Through the Heart

J W Taco Boltje1, Siem J de Haan1, David E Vecht1

  • 1Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Amsterdam University Medical Center location AMC, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.

Journal of the American College of Cardiology
|July 24, 2024
PubMed

Insights

A patient survived a heart injury from an air rifle pellet, which remained lodged in the heart muscle. This case report details the imaging, treatment, and recovery for this rare penetrating cardiac injury.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Trauma Surgery
  • Emergency Medicine

Background:

  • Penetrating cardiac injuries are rare, especially from low-velocity projectiles like air rifle pellets.
  • Prompt medical evaluation is crucial for patients with suspected thoracic trauma.

Observation:

  • A patient presented to the emergency department with a stable condition after being shot through the heart with an air rifle.
  • The air rifle pellet was found to be lodged within the myocardium upon initial assessment.

Findings:

  • Diagnostic imaging revealed the precise location of the foreign body within the heart muscle.
  • The patient's stable condition at presentation allowed for a planned management strategy.

Implications:

  • This case highlights the potential for survival despite significant cardiac trauma.
  • Successful management of retained intracardiac foreign bodies requires a multidisciplinary approach.
  • Understanding the trajectory and impact of air rifle projectiles is important for trauma management.

Keywords:
bulletcardiac imagingheart surgerytrauma

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