The treatment of acute pulmonary embolism In 15 cases

Abstract

Objective To summarize the experience on treatment for 15 cases of acute pulmonary embolism(PE).Methods Fifteen acute PE patients admitted from June 2009 to May 2011 were analyzed retrospectively.All patients were diagnosed as PE and deep vein thrombosis,and treated with placement of inferior vena caval filters(IVC).Five patients with main pulmonary artery embolism accepted intrapulmonary arterial interventional therapy of thrombus fragmenlation and suction and catheter-directed thrombolysis (CDT).Ten patients with embolization on pulmonary artery branch and acute iliofemoral vein thrombus accepted therapy of peripheral thrombolysis.During postoperative course improvement was observed on the clinical symptoms,occurrence of complications,Miller index,change of mean pulmonary arterial pressure (mPAP) and arterial partial pressure of oxygen(PO2),as well as the patency of pulmonary artery.Result Five main pulmonary artery embolization patients gained complete patency of pulmonsnary artery,and the clinical symptoms immediately improved.Miller index reduced from (0.51 ± 0.04) to (0.27 ± 0.38),mPAP decreased from (55.3 ± 3.1 ) mm Hg to ( 32.7 ± 2.2 ) mm Hg,and PO2 elevated from ( 40 ±3 ) mm Hg to ( 63 ± 4) mm Hg,showing a significant difference ( P ＜ 0.01 ).Ten patients with pulmonary artery branch embolization gained patency of pulmonary artery branch,iliofemoral venous thrombosis cleared,and clinical symptoms significantly improved.All patients recovered after two weeks of intravenous thrombolytic,anticoagulation and antiplatelet therapy.During three to twelve months' follow up,the therapeutic effects persisted and there was no recurrence.Conclusions Emergency intrapulmonary arterial interventional therapy of acute PE has remarkable effectiveness,safety and feasibility,improving pulmonary obstruction and clinical symptoms. Key words: Pulmonary embolism; Catheter ablation; Interventional therapy