Left ventricular rupture with resulting cardiac tamponade due to blast force trauma from gunshot wound.
BACKGROUND
Acute cardiac tamponade can rapidly become a surgical emergency requiring prompt diagnosis and intervention. Common etiologies of acute cardiac tamponade include blunt or penetrating trauma, surgical complications, sequelae from myocardial infarction and effusion.


OBJECTIVE
This case report illustrates an instance where penetrating trauma mimics non-penetrating blunt force trauma.


METHODS
The following is a report of a woman who died from cardiac tamponade secondary to a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the chest. This case is unique because the pericardium was not perforated; the left ventricle sustained numerous lacerations from the blast forces upon discharge of the weapon, resulting in a hemopericardium.


CONCLUSIONS
This article defines cardiac tamponade, presents the case, and discusses shotgun ballistics, wounding mechanisms, and blunt force trauma.
Branch
Charles Farrell
CF
University of Minnesota School of Medicine-Duluth Campus, Duluth, Minnesota, USA.
Adams
Jeff
J
D000328:Adult; D001753:Blast Injuries / Q000150:complications*; D002305:Cardiac Tamponade / Q000209:etiology*; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005260:Female; D006335:Heart Injuries / Q000209:etiology*; D006352:Heart Ventricles / Q000293:injuries; D006801:Humans; D013898:Thoracic Injuries / Q000150:complications; D014948:Wounds, Gunshot / Q000150:complications*