Emergency Pulmonary Embolectomy Using Minimally Invasive Cardiac Surgery

A 78-year-old man who had undergone operation for acute type A aortic dissection presented with dyspnea and shock. Chest computed tomography revealed pulmonary embolism. Minimally invasive cardiac surgery was performed through a right fourth intercostal skin incision using cardiopulmonary bypass through the right femoral artery and vein. The right pulmonary artery below the superior vena cava was incised vertically, and the thrombus was extracted directly by balloon catheter. The patient was weaned off cardiopulmonary bypass uneventfully. The postoperative course was also uneventful. In redo cardiac surgery, pulmonary embolectomy through minimally invasive right thoracotomy can be easily performed, with quick recovery.