Simple mechanical thrombectomy with intrapulmonary arterial thrombolysis in pulmonary thromboembolism: a small case series

Pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE) is a life-threatening condition with a high early mortality rate caused by acute right ventricular failure and cardiogenic shock. We report a series of three patients who presented with acute and subacute submassive PTE. They were successfully treated by simple catheter-based mechanical thrombectomy and intrapulmonary arterial thrombolysis. Mechanical fragmentation and aspiration of thrombus was performed by commonly used J-wire, multi-purpose and Judkin Right guiding catheters and this obviated the need of specific thrombectomy devices.