Delayed presentation of right and left ventricle perforation due to suicidal nail gun injury.
We describe a case of delayed presentation of attempted suicide with a nail gun that penetrated both the right and left ventricle. Nearly invisible entry point of the nail did not reflect the gravity of the injury. A prompt and accurate history along with chest X-ray and bedside transthoracic echocardiography facilitated localization of the nails and helped assess the damage. Despite cardiac arrest after induction of general anesthesia, the patient had a successful outcome. Issues related to the injury site, modalities of investigation and management strategies in a patient with cardiac tamponade are discussed.
Tuladhar
Sampurna
S
Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery and Cardiology, Cardiothoracic Surgery Unit, New Cross Hospital, Wolverhampton, UK.
Eltayeb
Abdalla
A
Lakshmanan
Suresh
S
Yiu
Patrick
P
D000768:Anesthesia, General; D006348:Cardiac Surgical Procedures; D003252:Construction Materials; D017548:Echocardiography, Transesophageal; D004562:Electrocardiography; D005547:Foreign Bodies / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D006323:Heart Arrest / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D006335:Heart Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery; D006352:Heart Ventricles / Q000293:injuries; D006801:Humans; D007022:Hypotension / Q000150:complications; D007431:Intraoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013902:Radiography, Thoracic; D013406:Suicide, Attempted