Twenty-year results of surgical pulmonary thromboembolectomy in acute pulmonary embolism

Abstract

Background. Acute massive pulmonary embolism is often a life-threatening condition and should be treated immediately. The aim of this study was to investigate risk factors and clinical outcomes of patients undergoing emergency pulmonary embolectomy for acute massive pulmonary embolism. Methods. We evaluated 49 patients undergoing emergency pulmonary embolectomy in our institution between 1995 and 2015, retrospectively. We reviewed preoperative conditions and risk factors, surgical complications, postoperative courses, predictors of mortality and long-term survival. Results. At the time of presentation, the median patients’ age was 58 years. Preoperatively, seven (14%) individuals had cardiac arrest and required cardiopulmonary resuscitation. At the time of surgery, other 23 (47%) patients presented with cardiogenic shock. The most common risk factor for development of pulmonary embolism was major surgery in the last 30 days (29%, n = 14). Five (10%) patients received systemic thrombolysis preoperatively. The median cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) time was 82 minutes. The median length of stay in the intensive care unit and in hospital were 1 and 14 days, respectively. Postoperative complications included revision as a consequence of mediastinal bleeding (6%, n = 3), stroke (2%, n = 1), and acute renal failure requiring temporary dialysis (4%, n = 2). The 30-day mortality was 29% (n = 14) with four (8%) cases of death during the surgery. The one-, five- and 15-year survival rates were 65%, 63%, and 57%, respectively. Conclusion. Pulmonary embolectomy can be performed in high-risk patients with massive pulmonary embolism with acceptable clinical outcome and good long-term survival.