Successful surgical treatment of massive pulmonary embolism after coronary bypass surgery

Acute massive pulmonary embolism after cardiac surgery is very rare. Although accurate diagnosis and rapid treatment are crucial to a successful outcome, there is no standard treatment option. Thrombolytic therapy and catheter embolectomy are the usual treatment options, but they are associated with risks, especially in patients who experience massive pulmonary embolism after coronary artery bypass surgery. Open pulmonary embolectomy may be the best choice for treating these patients. This report describes our use of emergency pulmonary embolectomy along with cardiopulmonary bypass as an effective therapeutic approach in 2 cases of massive pulmonary embolism that occurred after on-pump coronary artery bypass grafting.