Pulmonary Embolectomy
If you're experiencing signs of pulmonary embolism—sudden shortness of breath, chest pain, fainting, or leg swelling—seek medical attention immediately. The sooner a clot is removed, the lower the risk of complications. We offer urgent consultations and advanced embolectomy procedures for patients with high-risk clots. Your circulation—and your life—depends on it.
Thrombi removed from both pulmonary arteries using large-bore mechanical thrombectomy
Embolectomy: How We Remove Life-Threatening Blood Clots Safely and Effectively
When a blood clot travels through your bloodstream and becomes lodged in your lungs, heart, or limbs, it can block vital circulation and become a medical emergency. In these urgent situations, one of the most effective treatments is embolectomy—a procedure that physically removes the embolus (traveling clot) to restore blood flow.
What Is an Embolectomy?
Embolectomy is a medical procedure that removes a blood clot (embolus) that has traveled from another part of the body and become stuck in a blood vessel, restricting blood flow. The clot often originates in the legs (as deep vein thrombosis) and migrates to the lungs, or heart.
There are two main types of embolectomy:
- Catheter-directed (minimally invasive) embolectomy
- Surgical (open) embolectomy
Both aim to remove the clot as quickly as possible to prevent permanent damage to vital organs or death.
Catheter Embolectomy: A Minimally Invasive Approach
In catheter-based embolectomy, we use a thin tube (catheter) inserted through a small incision in the groin or neck to navigate to the site of the embolus using X-ray guidance.
Step-by-Step Procedure:
- Imaging: We first confirm the clot’s location using a CT pulmonary angiogram, ultrasound, or angiography.
- Anesthesia: Local anesthesia is applied to keep you comfortable.
- Catheter Navigation: A sheath and catheter are inserted into the blood vessel and advanced toward the embolus.
- Clot Removal: Using aspiration or mechanical devices, we vacuum or extract the embolus.
- Closure: The catheter is removed, and a bandage is applied to the access site.
This approach is highly effective for pulmonary embolism, right heart clots, and iliofemoral DVT with embolic risk.
Surgical Embolectomy: For Severe or Complex Cases
When a minimally invasive procedure isn’t enough, or if the patient is in hemodynamic shock, we may need to perform a surgical embolectomy.
Surgical Embolectomy Procedure:
- Performed under general anesthesia
- Involves a sternotomy (opening the chest)
- The heart-lung machine (cardiopulmonary bypass) is used
- The embolus is manually removed from the pulmonary artery, right heart, or major vessels
- The chest is closed, and the patient is monitored in the ICU
Who Needs an Embolectomy?
You may be a candidate for embolectomy if you have:
- A confirmed pulmonary embolism that is large or unstable
- A clot in the right side of your heart
- Failed response to anticoagulants or thrombolytics
- Bleeding risk that prohibits clot-busting medication
- Severe symptoms of limb ischemia or cerebral embolism
These procedures are decided on a case-by-case basis by a multidisciplinary team—including vascular specialists, cardiologists, and intensivists.
Benefits of Embolectomy
- Immediate restoration of blood flow
- Reduces risk of organ damage or sudden death
- Helpful when medications are contraindicated or ineffective
- Available in both minimally invasive and surgical forms
When performed early, embolectomy significantly improves survival, especially in patients with high-risk pulmonary embolism or right heart thrombus.
Risks and Complications
Like all procedures, embolectomy carries some risk, though complications are uncommon in experienced hands.
Catheter-Based Embolectomy Risks:
- Access site bleeding
- Incomplete embolus removal
- Vessel or heart injury
- Arrhythmias
Surgical Embolectomy Risks:
- Bleeding and infection
- Heart or kidney failure
- Stroke or death (rare)
We take every precaution to minimize risks, including pre-procedural imaging, close monitoring, and using the most advanced tools available.
Recovery After Embolectomy
- Catheter embolectomy usually requires a 1–2 day hospital stay
- Surgical embolectomy often involves ICU monitoring and 5–7 days of hospitalization
- Post-op care includes anticoagulation to prevent new clots
- Follow-up imaging ensures complete clot resolution
- In some cases, a vena cava filter may be placed to catch future emboli
Patients generally experience rapid improvement in breathing, circulation, and energy levels once the embolus is removed.