[Pulmonary embolectomy for massive pulmonary embolism]

Surgical cases of massive pulmonary embolism remain rare in Japan. To discuss the surgical problems, clinical courses of 4 patients who underwent pulmonary embolectomy under cardiopulmonary bypass at our hospital for the last six years were reviewed. There were 2 men and 2 women; ranging from 41 to 72 years (mean age, 63 years), 1 of whom had deep venous thrombosis of the lower extremity as a predisposing factor. The initial disease recurred in 2 patients. Shock occurred in 3 patients preoperatively, 2 of whom had sudden syncope. Cardiac arrest occurred before and during pulmonary arteriography (PAG) in 1 patient. The systolic pulmonary arterial pressure rose to between 60 and 80 mmHg in all patients except for 1 of whom it was not measured. The diagnosis was established in 3 patients by PAG and clinically in the remaining recurrent patient. Thrombolysis was not effective in all patients, then pulmonary embolectomy was performed between four hours and five days after the onset of the disease. One patient with preoperative cardiac arrest died of low output syndrome and severe respiratory failure, but 3 survived with clinical improvement. Development of the prompt and noninvasive diagnostic procedure, rapid cardiopulmonary support in severe cases and an early decision to operate are required to improve the operative results. Partial resection of the lung was obliged due to massive endobronchial hemorrhage after embolectomy in 1 recurred patient. Compression of the lungs and embolectomy using a balloon catheter should be performed carefully to prevent injuring pulmonary arteries. Implantation of an inferior vena cava filter may be beneficial for the selected patient to prevent recurrence of the disease.