title: Mechanical circulatory assist for pulmonary embolism.
abstract: Optimal management of acute pulmonary embolism remains controversial, despite advances in thrombolytic therapy. Haemodynamic instability and, in particular, right ventricular dysfunction is associated with poor outcomes. Urgent surgical embolectomy has been the treatment of choice in this category of patients. We present two cases in which percutaneous cardiopulmonary support (PCPS) was used as an adjunct to thrombolytic therapy for progressive circulatory collapse secondary to massive acute pulmonary embolism. This experience suggests that PCPS may offer an attractive option for a condition which continues to carry significant morbidity and mortality.
authors.affiliation: Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Jichi Medical School, Minami-Kawachi, Tochigi, Japan. tcvmisa@jichi.ac.jp
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Misawa
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Fuse
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Yamaguchi
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Saito
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Konishi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004867:Equipment Design; D015199:Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation / Q000295:instrumentation; D005260:Female; D006353:Heart-Assist Devices; D006801:Humans; D011655:Pulmonary Embolism / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*