title: Management of BB shot wounds to the heart.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to review our experience with BB shot injuries to the heart.
  
  
  METHODS
  This is a retrospective chart review.
  
  
  METHODS
  Three patients were found to have BB injuries to the heart. All patients were stable upon presentation. Echocardiography localized the BB pellets to the muscular septum.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All patients were treated with nonoperative therapy. There was not mortality. One patient developed an interventricular conduction delay that resolved before discharge.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Nonoperative management of stable patients who present with BB wounds to the heart is safe and effective if the BB is intramuscular. An echocardiogram should be used to localize the pellets and evaluate the pericardium.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri 63110, USA.
authors.forename: E C
authors.initials: EC
authors.lastname: Thompson
authors.forename: E F
authors.initials: EF
authors.lastname: Block
authors.forename: M C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Mancini
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D004562:Electrocardiography; D005260:Female; D006335:Heart Injuries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014463:Ultrasonography; D014948:Wounds, Gunshot / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy