Pulmonary embolectomy
Surgical removal of a pulmonary embolus is rarely performed and carries a mortality rate of up to 25%. When successful however, it rapidly restores the haemodynamic status to normal.
Indications for surgical intervention include:
- massive pulmonary embolism
- patient is very ill with no response to anticoagulation or thrombolysis, or thrombolysis is contraindicated because of:
- recent surgery - within 5 days of operation (10 days of hip operation
- active bleeding from the bowel or urinary tract etc.
Procedures that may be used:
- cardiopulmonary bypass
- inflow stasis pulmonary embolectomy
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