Pulmonary embolectomy: should it be offered earlier rather than later?

Respir Care. 2009 Mar;54(3):390-2.

Abstract

Deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism are associated with approximately 250,000 hospitalizations each year. Nearly seventy percent of patients who die of a pulmonary embolism do so within the first hour after onset of symptoms, so prompt and appropriate treatment is needed. Pulmonary embolectomy is a viable alternative for massive and submassive pulmonary embolism. We report 3 cases of successful pulmonary embolectomy.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Angiography
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Pulmonary Embolism / diagnostic imaging
  • Pulmonary Embolism / surgery*
  • Time Factors
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed