Emergent Surgical Embolectomy for Massive Pulmonary Embolism Causing Intraoperative Cardiac Arrest

A massive pulmonary embolism (PE) is associated with high mortality once cardiac arrest occurs. Surgical embolectomy is indicated in patients who have massive PE.

A 62-year-old male emergently underwent surgical embolectomy after sustaining an intraoperative cardiac arrest caused by a massive PE during an open reduction with internal fixation of a closed comminuted midshaft tibia fracture. Postoperatively, the patient developed pulmonary hypertension and acute renal failure. He was treated with aerosolized epoprostenol for right ventricular strain secondary to pulmonary hypertension. He survived the hospital course and was discharged without any other major complications.

Surgical embolectomy is a viable option for massive PE, and aerosolized epoprostenol can be used as adjuvant treatment for right ventricular strain secondary to acute pulmonary hypertension.