Conservative management of bullet lodged in the interventricular septum of the heart: a case report.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Penetrating cardiac injuries from gunshot wounds are rare but potentially fatal. When a bullet is retained within the heart, surgical removal is usually recommended owing to risks of tamponade, arrhythmia, embolization, or infection. However, conservative management may be an option in select hemodynamically stable patients. We present a unique case to highlight this approach.

Case presentation

A 37-year-old South Asian male sustained a gunshot wound to the right hemithorax, resulting in a bullet lodged in the interventricular septum. Diagnostic imaging confirmed the bullet's stable position with no pericardial effusion or significant cardiac dysfunction. He was managed conservatively with an intercostal chest drain for associated hemothorax, broad-spectrum antibi

SUBMITTER: Aggarwal P 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12764149 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature