Survival After Cardiac Laceration From a Gunshot Wound: A Rare Case Report

In the United States, approximately 48,000 deaths annually are attributed to gunshot wounds, with a notably low survival rate of 24.5% in cases involving cardiac injury. This case report presents a unique instance of a gunshot wound to the heart, where the patient, despite sustaining cardiac damage, maintained stable hemodynamics and underwent successful surgical removal of the bullet from the pericardial cavity. The absence of significant pericardial effusion and the maintenance of stable hemodynamics in this case provide valuable insights into the management of similar traumatic injuries. This report contributes to the existing knowledge on gunshot wound treatment, highlighting the importance of considering bullet retention in the pericardial cavity, even in the absence of substantial pericardial effusion.