Pulmonary Embolectomy

Abstract

FOUR successful cases of pulmonary embolectomy employing cardiopulmonary bypass have been reported in the literature since Cooley's¹ original report in 1961. In the case reported below, preoperative pulmonary arteriography, performed because there was some doubt about the exact diagnosis, confirmed the diagnosis of pulmonary-artery obstruction, and ligation of the inferior vena cava and pulmonary embolectomy, with the use of cardiopulmonary bypass, was performed.In the past, there has been some question whether emboli could be completely removed surgically. The postoperative angiogram demonstrates that this is possible.Case ReportOn February 6, 1963, F.H., a 50-year-old man, was involved in an . . .