Abstract
We report a case of subacute pulmonary thromboembolism that was successfully treated by pulmonary thromboendarterectomy. A 45-year-old woman without any underlying heart disease was admitted due to symptoms of progressive shortness of breath with episodic exacerbations, and a history of more than 2 months. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography revealed the presence of a large filling defect in the right proximal and left upper pulmonary arteries. We administered heparin sodium, urokinase and tissue plasminogen activator, but these were ineffective. Due to the presence of hypoxemia and pulmonary hypertension and the ineffectiveness of antithrombotic therapy, we performed thrombectomy under extracorporeal circulation. Her postoperative course was uneventful, and her clinical condition improved markedly. In the present case, pulmonary thromboendarterectomy was beneficial for the treatment of subacute pulmonary thromboembolism.
