An unusual foreign body ricocheting into the pericardium after a penetrating thoracic injury: A case report

Introduction and importance: Injuries to the thorax are common in trauma patients, among whom cardiac injuries are most lethal, particularly in the setting of penetrating trauma. Case presentation: In this case report, the foreign body was visualized to be lodged in between the left atrium and ventricle. After that, an emergency open heart surgery was performed. Post-intervention, the patient was shifted to the intensive care unit without ionotropic support and with stable haemodynamics. Clinical discussion: Cardiac foreign bodies are rarely seen because most patients with penetrating cardiac injuries die from hemorrhagic shock or cardiac tamponade. Conclusion: We report a case of a penetrating injury into the thorax with the foreign body being lodged into the pericardium and then managed surgically. The patient was discharged subsequently and followed up after a few days with progressive recovery.