Catheter-based therapies for massive pulmonary embolism.
Massive pulmonary embolism carries a high mortality rate as a result of right ventricular failure. In addition to anticoagulation, systemic thrombolysis is the standard first line of therapy for patients with life-threatening massive pulmonary embolism. Surgical embolectomy is often considered in patients with contraindications to receiving systemic thrombolysis or when thrombolysis has failed. Surgical embolectomy is not without inherent risk and limitations.Although there is a paucity of large clinical trials, available data suggests catheter-based treatment of massive pulmonary embolism restores hemodynamic stability and thus is an alternative to surgical therapy.
Cardiovascular Division, Vascular Medicine Section, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
Thomas M
TM
Todoran
Piotr
P
Sobieszczyk
D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002404:Catheterization / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D017128:Embolectomy; D004867:Equipment Design; D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006439:Hemodynamics; D006801:Humans; D011655:Pulmonary Embolism / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D011859:Radiography; D018570:Risk Assessment; D017131:Thrombectomy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation; D015912:Thrombolytic Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000925:Anticoagulants; D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents