Document Type
Article
Publication Date
3-1-2024
Publication Title
Ochsner Journal
Abstract
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.
First Page
58
Last Page
61
PubMed ID
38510221
Volume
24
Issue
1
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Recommended Citation
Schoen, Jonathan E.; Carr, Brian; Ali, Murtuza; Chapman, Brett; Marr, Alan; Stuke, Lance; Greiffenstein, Patrick; Hunt, John P.; Deville, Paige; and Smith, Alison, "Venovenous Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Usage Following Bullet Embolism to the Pulmonary Artery" (2024). School of Medicine Faculty Publications. 2466.
https://digitalscholar.lsuhsc.edu/som_facpubs/2466
10.31486/toj.23.0027