RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Venovenous Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Usage Following Bullet Embolism to the Pulmonary Artery
JF Ochsner Journal
JO Ochsner J
FD O. P. Jindal Global University
SP 58
OP 61
DO 10.31486/toj.23.0027
VO 24
IS 1
A1 Schoen, Jonathan E.
A1 Carr, Brian
A1 Ali, Murtuza
A1 Chapman, Brett
A1 Marr, Alan
A1 Stuke, Lance
A1 Greiffenstein, Patrick
A1 Hunt, John P.
A1 Deville, Paige
A1 Smith, Alison
YR 2024
UL http://www.ochsnerjournal.org/content/24/1/58.abstract
AB Background: Pulmonary artery embolus is a rare complication following gunshot wounds that creates a unique and serious challenge for trauma surgeons. While the majority of bullets that embolize through the vascular system end in the peripheral circulation, approximately one-third enter the central venous circulation.Case Report: We present the case of a bullet embolus to the left pulmonary artery following gunshot wounds to the right chest and the abdomen, with the abdominal ballistic traversing the liver before entering the vena cava and embolizing. The patient's course was complicated by the development of severe acute respiratory distress syndrome that was successfully managed by venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.Conclusion: Venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support for severe acute respiratory distress syndrome after bullet embolization to the pulmonary tree and surgical embolectomy is a viable option in appropriately selected patients.