Catheter directed lysis and thrombectomy of submassive pulmonary embolism

Acute pulmonary embolism (PE) is a common and potentially highly morbid disease. However, there are a broad range of clinical presentations, varying from asymptomatic to life-threatening hemodynamic compromise. Accordingly, the aggressiveness of treatment for acute PE must be adjusted to the acuity of the presentation and patient-specific comorbidities. Thrombolysis is FDA approved for massive PE with hemodynamic compromise. However, this therapy has associated risk, most notably intracranial hemorrhage and other bleeding complications. This has prompted interest in catheter-directed therapies to mechanically remove thrombus and to locally deliver reduced doses of thrombolytics. Guidelines support use of this catheter-based strategy in cases of increased bleeding risk or high acuity with insufficient time for systemic pharmacologic therapy to be effective. We present the case of an 83-year-old man with acute high-risk PE and worsening hemodynamic and respiratory status who was treated with catheter-directed thrombolysis and rheolytic thrombectomy. There was significant improvement in thrombus burden, symptoms, and hemodynamic parameters including right ventricular function and pulmonary artery pressures. However, his course was complicated by intracranial hemorrhage and access site hematoma, demonstrating that even reduced doses and local delivery of thrombolytics do not ensure freedom from bleeding complications.