Surgical removal of a bullet in the heart through a trans-mitral approach: a case report

Retained cardiac missiles have been considered bullets, shrapnel, or pellets included in the heart or the pericardial sac. In asymptomatic patients with retained cardiac missiles, the role of surgery is still debated.

We describe the case of successful surgical treatment of a retained missile localized within the left ventricle in close proximity of the posterior mitral leaflet. The operation was performed through a transatrial approach, detaching the posterior mitral leaflet. The post-operative course was uneventful. The patient was discharged on the seventh post-operative day. At 30-day follow-up visit, the patient was in good conditions, with normal mitral valve function.

The management of retained cardiac missiles should be individualized. If a decision is made to operate, multiple imaging techniques including echocardiography and computed tomography scan are mandatory to precisely locate the bullet.