Right heart pulmonary embolism in transit: a review of therapeutic considerations

Two patients with pulmonary emboli and right heart masses detected on echocardiography are described. One patient underwent successful surgical embolectomy and the other was successfully treated with intravenous thrombolysis. Both were alive and well at six months' follow-up. The presence of a right heart clot in the setting of pulmonary emboli carries a very high mortality rate and warrants urgent therapy, which may include anticoagulation, thrombolysis or surgical embolectomy. Because limited information is available, therapy must be individualized based on patient characteristics, clot location and local expertise. The pertinent literature is reviewed and relevant issues in decision making are discussed.