Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 15, 2026
06:59
Catheter-based Endovascular Angioplasty for Fibrosing Mediastinitis-associated Pulmonary Vein Stenosis
Published on: August 26, 2025
Catheter-based therapies for massive pulmonary embolism
Thomas M Todoran1, Piotr Sobieszczyk
1Cardiovascular Division, Vascular Medicine Section, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
Progress in Cardiovascular Diseases
|March 16, 2010
Summary
Massive pulmonary embolism treatment options are limited. Catheter-based interventions show promise as an alternative to surgery for restoring hemodynamic stability in critical cases.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Pulmonary Medicine
- Interventional Radiology
Background:
- Massive pulmonary embolism (PE) is a life-threatening condition often leading to right ventricular failure and high mortality.
- Current standard treatment involves anticoagulation and systemic thrombolysis.
- Surgical embolectomy is an option for patients with contraindications or failure of thrombolysis, but carries significant risks.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of catheter-based treatment for massive pulmonary embolism.
- To present catheter-based therapy as a potential alternative to surgical embolectomy.
Main Methods:
- Review of available clinical data on catheter-based treatment for massive PE.
- Analysis of hemodynamic stability restoration following intervention.
Main Results:
- Available data suggests catheter-based treatment is effective in massive PE.
- This approach can restore hemodynamic stability.
Conclusions:
- Catheter-based treatment is a viable alternative to surgical embolectomy for massive pulmonary embolism.
- Further clinical trials are needed to solidify its role in treatment guidelines.
Related Concept Videos
01:29Pulmonary Embolism II: Diagnostic Studies and Interprofessional Care
Diagnosing Pulmonary EmbolismDiagnosing pulmonary embolism (PE) involves clinical assessment and advanced imaging tests. The preferred diagnostic tool is the spiral (helical) CT scan or CT angiography (CTA), which uses intravenous contrast media to visualize the pulmonary vasculature and identify emboli.A ventilation-perfusion (V/Q) scan is an alternative for patients unable to receive contrast media. This scan includes both perfusion and ventilation scanning. Perfusion scanning involves...
01:27Pulmonary Embolism III: Nursing Management
A pulmonary embolism occurs when a thrombus, amniotic fluid, tumor tissue, fat, or air embolus blocks one or more pulmonary arteries. Effective nursing management and patient education are crucial for improving outcomes and preventing recurrence.Nursing management starts with obtaining a comprehensive patient history, particularly noting any history of deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Assess for clinical manifestations, including dyspnea, chest pain, crackles, heart murmurs, and signs of right-sided...
01:29Venous Thrombosis III: Interprofessional Care
Venous thrombosis requires effective prevention and treatment strategies to improve patient outcomes and reduce potential complications.Prevention StrategiesHealthcare providers must prioritize preventing venous thromboembolism (VTE) for all adult patients upon admission. Interventions depend on bleeding and thrombosis risk, medical history, current medications, diagnoses, planned procedures, and patient preferences. Patients on bed rest should change positions every two hours and, if not...
01:29Pulmonary Embolism I: Introduction
Pulmonary embolism (PE) occurs when a thrombus, fat or air embolus, amniotic fluid, or tumor tissue blocks one or more pulmonary arteries. These blockages originate in the venous system or the right side of the heart.EtiologyPE primarily arises from deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and other hypercoagulable states, such as inherited thrombophilias. Additional etiological factors include venous stasis, commonly seen in obesity, and endothelial injury from surgery and trauma. Less common causes include...
01:19Pulmonary Embolism I: Introduction
A blood clot, or thrombus, is a semi-solid mass composed of fibrin, platelets, and red blood cells. When it forms within a vessel, it can obstruct blood flow, known as thrombosis. If part of the clot detaches, it becomes an embolus that can travel and block distant vessels. When this occurs in the pulmonary arteries, it causes a condition known as pulmonary embolism (PE).Origin and ImpactMost often, the embolus originates from a thrombus in the deep veins of the lower limbs, a condition called...
01:22Heart Failure VI: Adjunct Therapies
Additional therapies for treating patients with heart failure (HF) may include procedural interventions, supplemental oxygen, the management of sleep disorders, and nutritional therapy.Procedural InterventionsImplantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator: For patients at risk of life-threatening arrhythmias due to severe left ventricular dysfunction, an Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator (ICD) can detect and terminate these arrhythmias, preventing sudden cardiac death and improving survival rates.