INTRODUCTION: Percutaneous mechanical thrombectomy (PMT) for treatment of massive pulmonary embolism (PE) has been shown to be technically feasible, although the complication rate of the procedure appears relatively high. Whether a conservative treatment approach defined by an early termination of the PMT procedure once hemodynamic and clinical parameters of the patient have improved is associated with lower complication rates is unknown. We report our experience of PMT in patients with massive PE using the Angiojet system following a conservative treatment strategy. METHODS: From April 2003 until November 2007, 13 patients underwent PMT with the Angiojet system. Indications for PMT were massive PE and either failed thrombolysis or contraindications to thrombolytic therapy. All patients were deemed high risk for surgical thrombectomy. RESULTS: Technical success was achieved in 12 patients (92%). Mean systemic arterial pressure increased from 87 to 106 mmHg following PMT (P = 0.011), while the heart rate decreased from 119 to 97 beats per minute (P = 0.041). In-hospital mortality was 15% (2 of 13 patients). No complications occurred which were attributable to the PMT procedure. Right ventricular size and function improved in the majority of patients following the PMT procedure. CONCLUSION: Using a conservative treatment approach of PMT for the treatment of massive PE carries a low periprocedural complication rate. The low morbidity was achieved without compromising clinical outcome, documented by an in-hospital mortality of 15%. PMT using a conservative treatment approach may result in comparable mortality, but lower morbidity than PMT using more aggressive, angiographically guided treatment strategies.
INTRODUCTION: Percutaneous mechanical thrombectomy (PMT) for treatment of massive pulmonary embolism (PE) has been shown to be technically feasible, although the complication rate of the procedure appears relatively high. Whether a conservative treatment approach defined by an early termination of the PMT procedure once hemodynamic and clinical parameters of the patient have improved is associated with lower complication rates is unknown. We report our experience of PMT in patients with massive PE using the Angiojet system following a conservative treatment strategy. METHODS: From April 2003 until November 2007, 13 patients underwent PMT with the Angiojet system. Indications for PMT were massive PE and either failed thrombolysis or contraindications to thrombolytic therapy. All patients were deemed high risk for surgical thrombectomy. RESULTS: Technical success was achieved in 12 patients (92%). Mean systemic arterial pressure increased from 87 to 106 mmHg following PMT (P = 0.011), while the heart rate decreased from 119 to 97 beats per minute (P = 0.041). In-hospital mortality was 15% (2 of 13 patients). No complications occurred which were attributable to the PMT procedure. Right ventricular size and function improved in the majority of patients following the PMT procedure. CONCLUSION: Using a conservative treatment approach of PMT for the treatment of massive PE carries a low periprocedural complication rate. The low morbidity was achieved without compromising clinical outcome, documented by an in-hospital mortality of 15%. PMT using a conservative treatment approach may result in comparable mortality, but lower morbidity than PMT using more aggressive, angiographically guided treatment strategies.