Bullet embolism. 1989

K R Patel, and L E Cortes, and L Semel, and P V Sharma, and R H Clauss
New York Medical College, Metropolitan Hospital Center, New York.

Bullet embolism is a rare complication of vascular trauma. During the last ten years we have treated six patients with bullet embolism. Three patients had inferior vena caval injuries with embolizations of the bullets to the heart or pulmonary arteries. Two had infrarenal aortic injuries with embolization to vessels of the lower extremities. One patient with a shotgun injury to the superficial femoral artery and vein had both arterial and venous embolizations. The site of vascular penetration was repaired in all six patients. All peripheral arterial bullet emboli were removed except for an asymptomatic shotgun pellet in the peroneal artery. One bullet was removed from a right atrium and another from a proximal pulmonary artery. Emboli in the distal pulmonary artery branches were left undisturbed in two patients. All six patients survived without any complications. A 14-year review of the literature is presented in order to emphasize some important features of this rare pathology.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008297 Male Males
D011150 Popliteal Artery The continuation of the femoral artery coursing through the popliteal fossa; it divides into the anterior and posterior tibial arteries. Arteria Poplitea,Artery, Popliteal,Popliteal Arteries
D011651 Pulmonary Artery The short wide vessel arising from the conus arteriosus of the right ventricle and conveying unaerated blood to the lungs. Arteries, Pulmonary,Artery, Pulmonary,Pulmonary Arteries
D004617 Embolism Blocking of a blood vessel by an embolus which can be a blood clot or other undissolved material in the blood stream. Embolus,Embolisms
D005263 Femoral Artery The main artery of the thigh, a continuation of the external iliac artery. Common Femoral Artery,Arteries, Common Femoral,Arteries, Femoral,Artery, Common Femoral,Artery, Femoral,Common Femoral Arteries,Femoral Arteries,Femoral Arteries, Common,Femoral Artery, Common
D005547 Foreign Bodies Inanimate objects that become enclosed in the body. Foreign Objects,Gossypiboma,Retained Surgical Instruments,Retained Surgical Items,Retained Surgical Needle,Retained Surgical Sponge,Retained Surgical Tools,Textiloma,Bodies, Foreign,Body, Foreign,Foreign Body,Foreign Object,Gossypibomas,Object, Foreign,Objects, Foreign,Retained Surgical Instrument,Retained Surgical Item,Retained Surgical Needles,Retained Surgical Sponges,Retained Surgical Tool,Surgical Instrument, Retained,Surgical Instruments, Retained,Surgical Item, Retained,Surgical Items, Retained,Surgical Needle, Retained,Surgical Needles, Retained,Surgical Sponge, Retained,Surgical Sponges, Retained,Surgical Tool, Retained,Surgical Tools, Retained,Textilomas
D005548 Foreign-Body Migration Migration of a foreign body from its original location to some other location in the body. Foreign Body Migration,Foreign-Body Migrations,Migration, Foreign-Body,Migrations, Foreign-Body
D006321 Heart The hollow, muscular organ that maintains the circulation of the blood. Hearts
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000328 Adult A person having attained full growth or maturity. Adults are of 19 through 44 years of age. For a person between 19 and 24 years of age, YOUNG ADULT is available. Adults

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