Left pulmonary artery bullet embolism following a penetrating cardiac gunshot injury.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Bullet emboli occur when bullets migrate from an entry point to an abnormal endpoint via blood vessels or bowel. Most result from low-velocity, small calibre civilian gunshots. Although rare, when it does occur, it commonly embolises to the arterial system. Many times, these are amenable to removal and recovery.

Case report

We present a case of a haemodynamically unstable polytrauma patient with a pulmonary artery projectile embolus following a penetrating trans-thoracic cardiac gunshot wound.

Conclusion

A brief overview of the literature regarding bullet emboli is provided in light of this unusual case, focusing specifically on thoracic bullet emboli. A high index of suspicion should be raised when the number of entry and exit wounds are incongruent, bul

SUBMITTER: Bairagi A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6437298 | biostudies-literature | 2019

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature