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Updated: Jun 20, 2026

A Porcine Model of Acute Autologous Pulmonary Embolism
Published on: September 6, 2024
Massive pulmonary embolism: percutaneous emergency treatment using an aspirex thrombectomy catheter
1Institute of Radiology, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Zaloska, 7-1525, Slovenia. peter.popovic@kclj.si
Abstract:
Massive pulmonary embolism (PE) is a life-threatening condition with a high early mortality rate caused by acute right ventricular failure and cardiogenic shock. A 51-year-old woman with a massive PE and contraindication for thrombolytic therapy was treated with percutaneous mechanical thrombectomy using an Aspirex 11F catheter (Straub Medical AG, Wangs, Switzerland). The procedure was successfully performed and showed a good immediate angiographic result. The patient made a full recovery from the acute episode and was discharged on heparin treatment. Our case report indicates that in patients with contraindications to systemic thrombolysis, catheter thrombectomy may constitute a life-saving intervention for massive PE.
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