title: Missiles in the cardiovascular system.
abstract: A missile in the cardiovascular system is a rare complication of a projectile wound. A missile in the heart should be suspected in the patient with a projectile wound of the thorax and in whom, on chest radiography, a missile is seen in the cardiac silhouette. A missile should be suspected in the patient with a projectile wound elsewhere with similar radiographic findings, no exit wound, and no missile in the area of injury. A missile in the arterial system should be suspected when no exit wound and no projectile are seen in the traumatized area. In such a case, radiography of the entire body should be done. The diagnosis of a suspected missile in the cardiovascular system is confirmed by echocardiography or angiography. Treatment should be individualized according to the clinical manifestations of the patient and the site of the missile.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.
authors.forename: P N
authors.initials: PN
authors.lastname: Symbas
authors.forename: P J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Symbas
mesh_terms: D001158:Arteries; D005547:Foreign Bodies / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D005548:Foreign-Body Migration; D006321:Heart; D006335:Heart Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung; D014948:Wounds, Gunshot / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy