Pulmonary Embolectomy with Preoperative Circulatory Support

Abstract Pulmonary embolectomy for massive pulmonary embolism associated with refractory shock was performed in 17 patients with 13 long-term survivors. Three of the 4 deaths were not related to the procedure. Angiographic documentation of the diagnosis and the employment of preoperative circulatory support with a pump oxygenator were instrumental in obtaining a high success rate. Intraoperative pressure measurements and postoperative angiographic as well as hemodynamic studies suggest that embolectomy restores normal perfusion of the lung.