2002 Volume 13 Issue 1 Pages 23-28
We evaluated retrospectively the clinical records of 21 cases with acute pulmonary embolism (PE) between 1985 and 2000. Eight cases were in shock status and 13 cases were not before any therapy. Nine cases of 13 had no clinical signs and symptoms at all. Sixteen cases had confirmed deep venous thrombosis (DVT) either with upper or lower limbs prior to pulmonary embolism. Three cases underwent catheter directed thrombolysis (CDT) and 2 cases had been treated with operative embolectomy under cardiopulmonary bypass, whereas 16 cases resulted in satisfactory only with the use of intravenous administration of heparin and urokinase. After PE event all patients have received oral anticoagulant therapy and particular 13 cases were treated with the insertion of inferior vena cava filter to avoid fatal recurrent PE.
Our findings can indicate that surgical therapy, including CDT and operative embolectomy is mandatory to the patients with poor cardiopulmonary status and intravenous heparin and urokinase administration is efficacious and feasible management to the patients with well preserved cardiopulmonary status.
