[Successful catheter-guided local thrombolysis in acute pulmonary embolism in the early postoperative period after pancreatic head resection]

Chirurg. 2002 Sep;73(9):945-9. doi: 10.1007/s00104-002-0499-0.
[Article in German]

Abstract

Pulmonary embolism in the early postoperative period is characterized by high morbidity and mortality. Systemic application of thrombolytic agents during this time is contraindicated; operative thrombectomy also has a high mortality rate. We report a case of successful local lysis in combination with catheter fragmentation of a massive two-sided pulmonary embolism diagnosed on the 4th postoperative day after pylorus-preserving duodenopancreatectomy for distal carcinoma of the common bile duct. Thrombolysis was performed in three sessions by a combination of catheter-supported interventional fragmentation of the thrombus with local rt-PA lysis. There were no bleeding complications or disturbances of anastomotic healing. The patient was discharged from the hospital on the 23rd postoperative day after changing anticoagulation to a vitamin K antagonist. The case presented demonstrates the possibility of local lysis in combination with interventional methods as a therapeutic option for pulmonary embolism in the early postoperative period as an alternative to surgical strategies.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adenocarcinoma / surgery*
  • Adult
  • Angiography
  • Angioplasty / instrumentation*
  • Combined Modality Therapy
  • Common Bile Duct Neoplasms / surgery*
  • Embolectomy / instrumentation*
  • Humans
  • Lymph Node Excision
  • Male
  • Pancreaticoduodenectomy*
  • Postoperative Complications / diagnostic imaging
  • Postoperative Complications / drug therapy*
  • Pulmonary Embolism / diagnostic imaging
  • Pulmonary Embolism / drug therapy*
  • Thrombolytic Therapy*
  • Tissue Plasminogen Activator / administration & dosage*
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Substances

  • Tissue Plasminogen Activator