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Bullet in the left ventricle from a remote gunshot wound to the heart

E M Silverman, E R Littler

    Chest
    |February 1, 1977
    PubMed

    Insights

    A bullet was discovered in the heart of a man who died from bladder cancer. This projectile likely entered the heart through the left atrium and lodged in the left ventricle.

    Area of Science:

    • Cardiovascular Pathology
    • Forensic Medicine
    • Ballistics Trauma

    Background:

    • A case study involving necropsy findings in a patient with a history of carcinoma of the urinary bladder.
    • Investigating the trajectory and origin of foreign objects within the human cardiovascular system.

    Observation:

    • A projectile (bullet) was identified within the left ventricle during post-mortem examination.
    • The bullet's entry point into the body was undetermined but occurred in the distant past.

    Findings:

    • The bullet likely entered the heart via the left atrial wall.
    • The projectile was found to be lodged in the left ventricle, a major chamber of the heart.

    Implications:

    • This case highlights the potential for long-term internal migration of foreign bodies.
    • Understanding projectile pathways is crucial in forensic pathology and trauma analysis.
    • Rare instances of cardiac foreign bodies can occur without immediate fatal consequences.

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