Reperfusion Treatment for Acute Pulmonary Embolism

Due to the manifold treatment options for the management of acute pulmonary embolism, state-of-the-art management requires risk stratification for choosing the adapted treatment for each patient. Reperfusion therapy is an integral part of therapy for patients with pulmonary embolism at high risk for mortality, but its role in patients with intermediate risk pulmonary embolism is more debated. The largest amount of evidence exists for systemic thrombolysis, which is an efficient therapy, but at the prize of an increased bleeding risk. In recent years, various types of catheter-based reperfusion therapies have been introduced, and evidence is growing that this therapy is as efficient as systemic thrombolysis, but with a more favourable safety profile. Surgical embolectomy remains a good alternative for unstable patients, especially for those with absolute contraindications for thrombolysis or after failed systemic thrombolysis. While the early benefits of reperfusion therapy are well documented, evidence for long-term benefit is still scarce. The scope of this review is to summarize the evidence for the currently available reperfusion therapies in the management of acute pulmonary embolism.