Springer Jeffrey, Newman William, McGoey Robin
Department of Pathology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, 70112, USA.
J Forensic Sci. 2011 Jan;56 Suppl 1:S259-62. doi: 10.1111/j.1556-4029.2010.01616.x. Epub 2010 Nov 15.
Bullet embolism is a relatively unusual complication of gunshot wounds. Embolism to the right atrium comprises <5% of all reported intravascular bullet emboli. We report an additional case of bullet embolus to the right atrium of a 0.38-caliber bullet following a gunshot wound to the chest. The intracardiac bullet was recognized radiologically on presentation, but the patient was hemodynamically stable and managed conservatively, with the bullet left in place. The missile remained within the heart without clinical significance for several years and was recovered from the right atrium only at the time of autopsy. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first documented case of a 0.38-caliber bullet which embolized to the right atrium and remained inconsequential for an extended period of time.
子弹栓塞是枪伤相对罕见的并发症。右心房栓塞占所有报道的血管内子弹栓子的比例不到5%。我们报告了另外一例胸部枪伤后0.38口径子弹栓塞至右心房的病例。心脏内子弹在就诊时经放射学检查被发现，但患者血流动力学稳定，采取保守治疗，子弹留在原位。该子弹在心脏内存留数年无临床意义，仅在尸检时从右心房取出。据我们所知，这是首例有记录的0.38口径子弹栓塞至右心房且长时间无不良后果的病例。
