Use of Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation–Facilitated Large-Bore Catheter Embolectomy in the Treatment of Acute Pulmonary Embolism Complicated by Shock

Abstract

This article reports the case of a 42-year-old man who presented with a saddle pulmonary embolus complicated by normotensive cardiogenic shock. The patient was first stabilized with venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. Then, while the patient was still on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, thrombectomy with a large-bore catheter device was performed that resulted in a large decrease in pulmonary artery pressures and a clinically significant increase in cardiac index, with rapid clinical improvement. Complete recovery of the patient's cardiopulmonary status has been maintained at intermediate-term follow-up. This treatment strategy should be considered favorably in the treatment of patients presenting with pulmonary embolism complicated by cardiogenic shock.

Keywords

• pulmonary embolism
• extracorporeal membrane oxygenation
• shock, cardiogenic