Percutaneous Rheolytic Embolectomy for Massive Pulmonary Embolism

Abstract

SUMMARY Recently, percutaneous thrombectomy therapies have begun to be used. These ones open a new therapeutic option that should be considered if necessary resources are available. Two cases of massive pulmonary embolism treated with rheolytic thrombectomy are described in this work. R EV A RGENT C ARDIOL 2010;78:442-444 Pulmonary embolism (PE) is a frequent cardiovascular disease with an incidence of 1/1000 in the United States and a mortality rate of 15% within three months after its diagnosis. This mortality increases five times in patients that develop shock. Despite its high incidence and morbimortality, the regular treatment has not substantially varied in the last years, and although the advances in therapies with thrombolytic agents or surgical endarterectomy, the mortality rate remains high in patients with massive pulmonary embolism.