Surgical embolectomy in acute massive pulmonary embolism

Acute pulmonary embolism is a serious condition and despite diagnostic and therapeutic advances, mortality is still high. Anticoagulation, thrombolytic therapy, catheter embolectomy, and open pulmonary embolectomy are therapeutic options. Surgical embolectomy was considered the management of last resort, but recent studies show the effectiveness of this therapeutic modality. We reviewed our 7-year experience of pulmonary embolectomy in patients with acute massive pulmonary embolism from 1997 to 2004. Eleven patients underwent open embolectomy, 7 (64%) were male, and the mean age was 45.6 years. Pulmonary embolism occurred after major surgery in 5 patients (46%), 2 were diagnosed with malignancy and spinal cord injury, and no risk factors were detected in 4. The diagnosis was made by spiral computed tomography alone in 4 patients, and by angiography in 7. Cardiac arrest occurred in 3 patients preoperatively; 2 of them survived. Open pulmonary embolectomy is the most effective treatment for acute massive pulmonary embolism. Cardiac arrest is the worst prognostic factor. Less aggressive clot evacuation in patients who are diagnosed late appears to be effective in minimizing postoperative hemoptysis.