Surgical embolectomy versus thrombolytic therapy in the management of acute massive pulmonary embolism: Short and long-term prognosis

ObjectiveComparison between surgical embolectomy and thrombolytic therapy in patients suffering from acute massive pulmonary embolism (AMPE).BackgroundPrompt treatment of AMPE is necessary, although optimal management is a matter of debate.MethodsPatients with AMPE were assigned to either thrombolytic therapy or pulmonary surgical embolectomy. Early and late mortality, systolic pulmonary artery pressure (SPAP), right ventricular diameter (RVD) and bleeding complications were evaluated.ResultsSeventy eight patients were treated with thrombolytic therapy and 30 patients underwent surgery. The difference between pre-intervention and third-day post-intervention in terms of RVD and SPAP was significantly greater in patients under surgical embolectomy (P < 0.001). There was a significant decline in RVD and SPAP in both groups during follow-up (P < 0.001). Mortality rate in the surgical embolectomy group was lower than the thrombolytic group although not significantly.ConclusionEarly surgical treatment was associated with fewer complications in comparison to thrombolytic therapy.