Percutaneous Removal of an Old Calcified Free-Floating Harmful Thrombus in a Patient with Severe Pulmonary Embolism and at Risk for Surgical Treatment

Abstract

We present a case of a 53-year-old male patient with recurrent pulmonary embolism due to a free-floating right atrial thrombus formation. While thrombolysis was contraindicated due to previous intracranial hemorrhage, and the patient was at high risk for surgical thrombectomy, interventional removal using a percutaneous thrombus aspiration system (AngioVasc) was considered. Despite it’s calcified, free- floating and vulnerable nature, the thrombus aspiration could be carried out safely and the patient feels well. This case highlights the complexities associated with managing high-risk patients with recurrent embolism and the importance of considering modern interventional approaches in cardiac thrombus removal discussions.