Flexible fibre optic bronchoscopy as angioscope to ascertain completeness of pulmonary embolectomy: surgery for pulmonary embolism-how I do it.

Rarely pulmonary embolectomy has also been used as a salvage procedure for acute right ventricle (RV) dysfunction following acute pulmonary embolism (APE). Complete surgical removal of thromboembolus in acute pulmonary thromboembolism is an essential pre-requisite for good outcome. Complete clearance of thromboembolic load from pulmonary arterial tree is difficult to assess intraoperatively. We hereby describe the use of flexible fibre optic bronchoscope (FFB) as angioscope to visualise the pulmonary arterial tree intraoperatively. Angioscopy ascertains the complete clearance up to subsegmental level after thromboembolectomy and aids in the removal of residual thrombus or embolus. Herein, we describe a case series of two patients, where FFB was used as angioscope during surgery for APE. © Indian Association of Cardiovascular-Thoracic Surgeons 2021.