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Emergency Surgical Embolectomy for Pulmonary Emboli After Failed Thrombolysis

Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Royal Perth Hospital, Perth, Western Australia

Sharon HL Chu, MBBS, Tel: +61 8 9224 2244 Fax: +61 8 9224 1977 Email: sharonchu{at}gmail.com, Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Royal Perth Hospital, GPO Box X2213, Perth, Western Australia.

A 34-year-old man presented in cardiogenic shock secondary to massive pulmonary embolism. Surgical embolectomy was performed after failed thrombolysis. Intraoperatively, a right atrial lesion and pulmonary emboli were removed. Histopathology revealed myxoma complicated by pulmonary emboli. The patient made a good recovery. This case suggests that surgical embolectomy should be considered as first-line treatment for all patients with acute massive pulmonary embolism, and not reserved for those with severe hemodynamic compromise or failed conservative management.

Key Words: Embolectomy • Myxoma • Pulmonary Embolism • Thrombolytic Therapy

Asian Cardiovasc Thorac Ann 2009; 17:297-299
© 2009 by SAGE Publications
DOI: 10.1177/0218492309104769