We report our technique and results of percutaneous
mechanical thrombectomy in a consecutive series of eight patients with
massive PE. We also discuss the possible role of mechanical PE
thrombectomy. Eight consecutive patients with acute massive PE, with or without
hemodynamic impairment, were treated with mechanical thrombectomy. We
used a modified 7-fr hydrolyzer catheter. The treatment was combined
with systemic fibrinolysis. From the logistic and technical point we encountered no problems. All
patients showed significant improvement while still in the angiography
suite. There were no bleeding complications and no other events related
to the procedure. Despite the clinical improvement, one patient died
shortly after the procedure from cardiac failure. In all patients there
was an acute increase in PO2 to normal values. Only a mean of about
50% of all local thrombus could be removed (range 30–80%). The mean
PAP pre-intervention decreased only minimally from 42.5 mmHg to 36.3
mmHg post-intervention (not significant). In three patients, the PAP
continues to remain high at follow-up. The most important feature of mechanical thrombectomy for massive PE is
the immediate improvement of the cardiac output, PO2, and clinical
situation, overcoming the first critical hours after massive PE. The
amount of thrombus reduction seems not to be an important
parameter.