Transvenous catheter pulmonary embolectomy
J. H. Moore Jr, H. A. Koolpe, R. A. Carabasi, S. L. Yang and B. E. Jarrell
Acute cardiovascular collapse in the hospitalized patient is associated
with a high mortality rate and remains a therapeutic dilemma. Survival
could be improved in the subgroup of patients with massive pulmonary
thromboembolism if prompt surgical intervention is undertaken. This report
presents the cases of two patients with cardiovascular collapse who
survived transvenous catheter pulmonary embolectomy (herein described in
detail). This procedure can be performed in any hospital with angiographic
facilities and personnel trained in the technique. In our opinion it is the
procedure of choice in patients with refractory cardiovascular collapse
from massive pulmonary thromboembolism.
