Pulmonary embolism hotline 2012. Recent and expected trials

Acute pulmonary embolus: the next frontier in venous thromboembolic interventions

OPINION STATEMENT

Submassive pulmonary embolism (PE) represents a patient population that is under-recognized and under-treated. Recent clinical trials demonstrated the hemodynamic benefit of IV thrombolytic therapy among these patients; however, it came at the cost of a significantly increased risk of major, particularly intracranial, hemorrhage. Catheter-based treatment modalities have garnered considerable clinical interest in recent years. In particular, ultrasound accelerated thrombolysis, a catheter-based technology that enhances the process of thrombolytic delivery into the thrombus, has emerged as a treatment modality with an increasing number of single-center studies, as well as randomized, controlled clinical trials. Results from these experiences are consistent in achieving outcomes of thrombus resolution and hemodynamic recovery with a low dose thrombolytic infusion protocol, but without the high risk of bleeding complications associated with IV thrombolysis. The clinical data will hopefully be impactful to the development of the next edition of the treatment guidelines, in support of overall recommendations for catheter-based interventions. When available and with appropriate expertise, this modality should be considered as the preferred treatment of both massive and submassive PE.

Acute right ventricular failure caused by concomitant coronary and pulmonary embolism: successful treatment with endovascular coronary and pulmonary thrombectomy

Patent foramen ovale (PFO) is present in approximately 25% of the general population. PFO is characterized by intermittent shunting of blood from the right to the left atrium, especially in the context of increased right-sided filling pressures, with risk of paradoxical embolism. We describe a 69-year-old woman presenting with acute chest pain, severe dyspnoea, and acute inferolateral ST-segment elevation on the electrocardiogram. The patient was diagnosed with myocardial infarction and failure of the right cardiac ventricle, which was considered to be secondary to extensive pulmonary embolism leading to increased filling pressures and paradoxical coronary embolism. The patient underwent emergent percutaneous interventions with coronary thrombus extraction and pulmonary thrombus fragmentation and local thrombolysis. The patient was free of symptoms at follow up 6 months later and echocardiography showed substantially improved right ventricular function. We discuss issues related to the diagnosis, treatment, and secondary prevention for patients with concomitant pulmonary and coronary arterial thrombosis.