Delayed pulmonary thrombectomy via a peripheral approach in the treatment of pulmonary embolism and sequelae.

Delayed unilateral pulmonary embolectomy via the peripheral approach has been performed in 12 patients suffering from chronic pulmonary vascular obstruction after a single or repeated embolisms. Arterial hypoxemia and pulmonary hypertension were present in all cases. Embolectomy was performed several months or years after the initial event. There were 2 early and one late death. The surviving patients are doing well clinically and show definite hemodynamic and angiographic improvement.