Successful catheter-directed thrombolysis of a massive pulmonary embolism in a patient after recent pneumonectomy

Clin Imaging. 2015 Jan-Feb;39(1):140-3. doi: 10.1016/j.clinimag.2014.09.009. Epub 2014 Oct 16.

Abstract

Massive pulmonary embolism (PE) after major thoracic surgery is an uncommon but life-threatening event that is challenging to manage. At present, the treatment of acute PE is either anticoagulation with or without systemic thrombolytic therapy. We report a case of a 65-year-old female with recent left pneumonectomy who developed a massive PE. The patient was successfully and safely treated with catheter-directed thrombolysis. To our knowledge, this is the first patient treated in this fashion.

Keywords: Catheter-directed; Pneumonectomy; Pulmonary embolism; Thrombolysis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Female
  • Fibrinolytic Agents / administration & dosage
  • Fibrinolytic Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Humans
  • Pneumonectomy / adverse effects*
  • Pulmonary Embolism / drug therapy*
  • Pulmonary Embolism / etiology
  • Thrombolytic Therapy / methods*
  • Tissue Plasminogen Activator / administration & dosage
  • Tissue Plasminogen Activator / therapeutic use*
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Fibrinolytic Agents
  • Tissue Plasminogen Activator