title: Emergency surgical embolectomy for pulmonary emboli after failed thrombolysis.
abstract: A 34-year-old man presented in cardiogenic shock secondary to massive pulmonary embolism. Surgical embolectomy was performed after failed thrombolysis. Intraoperatively, a right atrial lesion and pulmonary emboli were removed. Histopathology revealed myxoma complicated by pulmonary emboli. The patient made a good recovery. This case suggests that surgical embolectomy should be considered as first-line treatment for all patients with acute massive pulmonary embolism, and not reserved for those with severe hemodynamic compromise or failed conservative management.
authors: Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Royal Perth Hospital, GPO Box X2213, Perth, Western Australia. sharonchu@gmail.com
authors: Sharon H L
authors: SH
authors: Chu
authors: David
authors: D
authors: Andrews
authors: Yuki
authors: Y
authors: Watanabe
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D017128:Embolectomy; D004638:Emergency Treatment; D006325:Heart Atria / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D006338:Heart Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009232:Myxoma / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D011655:Pulmonary Embolism / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*; D012770:Shock, Cardiogenic / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D015912:Thrombolytic Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects