Successful thrombolysis for massive pulmonary embolism after pulmonary resection.
We report the successful use of thrombolysis for acute massive pulmonary embolism 2 days after right lower lobectomy for bronchial adenocarcinoma. Pulmonary angiography revealed extensive clot unsuitable for surgical embolectomy. A bolus infusion of recombinant tissue plasminogen activator produced an immediate improvement in the patient's hemodynamic state. There was substantial blood loss requiring the transfusion of 21 units of blood over the postoperative period. The patient made a successful recovery and remained well at 1 year.
Sayeed
R A
RA
Cardiothoracic Surgical Unit, Papworth Hospital, Cambridge, United Kingdom.
Nashef
S A
SA
D002288:Adenocarcinoma, Mucinous / Q000601:surgery*; D016063:Blood Loss, Surgical; D001984:Bronchial Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011013:Pneumonectomy; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011655:Pulmonary Embolism / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D015912:Thrombolytic Therapy; D010959:Tissue Plasminogen Activator / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents; D010959:Tissue Plasminogen Activator