Cardiac Pneumatic Nail Gun Injury

Abstract

Pneumatic nail guns deliver discrete, low-velocity penetrating trauma causing limited injury.1 Kinetic energy is centered on the nail’s advancing tip, and therefore such injuries are similar to stab wounds. This is reflected in the 11% mortality rate after accidental discharges. Mortality rates might, however, exceed 40% when these injuries are self-inflicted.1 and 2 In the case presented the patient attempted suicide, shooting himself 17 times in the chest with a pneumatic nail gun. The optimal diagnostic and therapeutic approach to this unusual injury is described