Surgical emergency embolectomy for the treatment of fulminant pulmonary embolism in a preterm infant.

A massive pulmonary embolism, demonstrated by echocardiography developed in a 3-week-old preterm infant. An etiologic explanation could not be obtained from either history or clinical and laboratory findings. Pulmonary embolectomy was performed as an emergency procedure because of severe hemodynamic impairment despite intensive medical therapy. In children who have massive pulmonary embolism who remain in a compromised hemodynamic state despite intensive medical therapy, pulmonary embolectomy may be considered the alternative emergency treatment.