Korean J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg.  2009 Aug;42(4):492-496.

Pulmonary Embolectomy for Treatment of Pulmonary Embolism

• Park B
• Park PW
• Shim YM
• Lee YT
• Park KH
• Kim JG
• Kim WS
• Sung KI

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The treatment of acute pulmonary embolism is difficult, and it can be lethal when cardiogenic shock is involved with major pulmonary embolism. In the past, pulmonary embolectomy was considered as the last choice for patients with pulmonary embolism. Accordingly, we analyzed our experience with seven cases of pulmonary embolectomy as an alternative option for the early treatment of pulmonary embolism. MATERIAL AND METHOD: A retrospective analysis of medical charts of all patients who underwent pulmonary embolectomy at our hospital over the past eight years was performed. The patients were observed during their hospital stay and followed until their last visit to the outpatient department. RESULT: Among 7 patients (4 men and 3 women), 4 had massive pulmonary embolism, and 3 had submassive pulmonary embolism. An extracorporeal membrane oxygenator was inserted in 3 patients before surgery. There was no mortality, and postoperative echocardiography showed no pulmonary hypertension in 6 patients.
CONCLUSION
Pulmonary embolectomy can be performed with minimal mortality. We think that the use of an extracorporeal membrane oxygenator in patients with cardiogenic shock before surgery improves survival.

Keyword

Pulmonary embolism; Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation; Embolectomy

MeSH Terms

Echocardiography
Embolectomy
Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation
Humans
Hypertension, Pulmonary
Length of Stay
Male
Outpatients
Oxygenators, Membrane
Pulmonary Embolism
Retrospective Studies
Shock, Cardiogenic