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Editor(s)-In-Chief: The APEX Trial Investigators, C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Rim Halaby, M.D. [2]
Synonyms and keywords: Pulmonary thrombectomy, surgical pulmonary embolectomy, percutaneous catheter embolectomy
Pulmonary embolectomy is an emergency procedure that removes blood clots from the pulmonary arteries. There are two types of pulmonary embolectomy: surgical pulmonary embolectomy and percutaneous catheter embolectomy. Pulmonary embolectomy is indicated for the treatment of pulmonary embolism (PE) in patients with massive PE among whom fibrinolytic therapy is contraindicated or who fail to improve after the initial treatment with fibrinolytic therapy. In addition, pulmonary embolectomy is indicated in patients with submassive PE who fail to improve on the initial treatment and have contraindications to fibrinolytic therapy.[1][2][3]
Pulmonary embolectomy is indicated for the treatment of:[1][2][3]
The goals of catheter-based therapy are:
Percutaneous thrombectomy is a treatment option for patients having contraindications to fibrinolytics or who are at institutions where surgical embolectomy is not available. It is broadly divided into three types:
Pressurized saline is passed through a catheter's distal tip, which breaks-down the emboli. The saline and clot fragments are then sucked back into an exhaust lumen of the catheter and disposed off.[4] Insertion of a large catheter increases the risk of bleeding which is the major disadvantage of this procedure.
As the name suggests, a rotational device is used to fragment the thrombus. In rotational thrombectomy, cardiac catheters are used and venotomy is not required at the puncture site. The fragments are continuously aspirated.
Major complications:
Perforation is a major complication of this procedure. Mechanical thrombectomy should be limited to the main and lobar pulmonary arterial branches, because the risk of perforation increases when vessels smaller than 6 mm in diameter are operated.
Minor complications:
Thrombus fragmentation can be performed with balloon angioplasty, a pigtail rotational catheter, or a more advanced fragmentation device, the Amplataze catheter which uses an impeller to homogenize the thrombus.
Surgical thrombectomy is typically limited to large medical centers (as it requires experienced surgeon and cardiopulmonary bypass). Among patients failing initial thrombolysis, surgical embolectomy was found to have fewer death rates and fewer major bleedings.[5]
A study had shown the presence of extrapulmonary thrombus in 13 out of 50 patients undergoing surgical embolectomy, thus emphasizing the need of transesophageal echocardiography (TEE).[6] TEE should be performed before or during the procedure to look for extrapulmonary thrombus. Extrapulmonary thrombus are thrombus present in right atrium, right ventricle, or inferior vena cava.
Pulmonary embolectomy and pulmonary thromboendarterectomy (PTEs) aim to remove the thrombus in the pulmonary artery; however, they differ in many ways.
Class IIa |
"1. In patients with acute PE associated with hypotension, we suggest surgical pulmonary embolectomy over no such intervention if they have (i) contraindications to thrombolysis, (ii) failed thrombolysis or catheter-assisted embolectomy, or (iii) shock that is likely to cause death before thrombolysis can take effect (e.g., within hours), provided surgical expertise and resources are available. (Level of Evidence: C)" |
Class III (No Benefit) |
"1.Catheter embolectomy and surgical thrombectomy are not recommended for patients with low-risk PE or submassive acute PE with minor RV dysfunction, minor myocardial necrosis, and no clinical worsening (Level of Evidence: C)" |
Class IIa |
"1. Depending on local expertise, either catheter embolectomy and fragmentation or surgical embolectomy is reasonable for patients with massive PE and contraindications to fibrinolysis(Level of Evidence: C). " |
"2. Catheter embolectomy and fragmentation or surgical embolectomy is reasonable for patients with massive PE who remain unstable after receiving fibrinolysis (Level of Evidence: C)." |
"3. For patients with massive PE who cannot receive fibrinolysis or who remain unstable after fibrinolysis, it is reasonable to consider transfer to an institution experienced in either catheter embolectomy or surgical embolectomy if these procedures are not available locally and safe transfer can be achieved (Level of Evidence: C)." |
Class IIb |
"1. Either catheter embolectomy or surgical embolectomy may be considered for patients with submassive acute PE judged to have clinical evidence of adverse prognosis (new hemodynamic instability, worsening respiratory failure, severe RV dysfunction, or major myocardial necrosis) (Level of Evidence: C)." |
Class I |
"1. Surgical pulmonary embolectomy is a recommended therapeutic alternative in patients with high-risk PE in whom thrombolysis is absolutely contraindicated or has failed.(Level of Evidence: C)" |
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