Pulmonary Embolectomy: Should It Be Offered Earlier Rather Than Later?

Abstract

Deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism are associated with approximately 250,000 hospitalizations each year. Nearly seventy percent of patients who die of a pulmonary embolism do so within the first hour after onset of symptoms, so prompt and appropriate treatment is needed. Pulmonary embolectomy is a viable alternative for massive and submassive pulmonary embolism. We report 3 cases of successful pulmonary embolectomy.