Percutaneous removal of air-bullet gunshot: case report and literature review

BACKGROUND: Cardiac air bullet injuries are rare but can be associated with significant morbidity and mortality. CASE PRESENTATION: We are presenting a young male child who sustained an accidental injury to the chest by an air rifle. Bullet entered the right ventricle from the anterior part of the chest and was identified in the RV side of the interventricular septum by echocardiography and chest CT scan. There was mild pericardial effusion but no valvular injury. The bullet was removed in the cath lab, and the patient was discharged home on the second day. CONCLUSIONS: It is reasonable to try foreign body removal in the cath lab, for certain cases, and avoid cardiac surgery.