Between January 1984 and December 1992, 8 patients with acute massive pulmonary embolism (PE) underwent pulmonary embolectomy under cardiopulmonary bypass. The age ranged from 36 to 70 years (average 56.6 years). There were 6 men and 2 women. A causative factor for pulmonary embolism was found in 6 (95%): myocardium revascularization in 3, abdominal lipoaspiration in 2 and hemorrhoidectomy in 1. All patients where severely hypoxic with mean arterial PO2 of 55%. The diagnosis of PE was established by pulmonary angiogram in 6 (75%) and surgery in 2. Hospital mortality was 50% (4 patients), two of them had previous cardiac arrest, 1 patient died of acute respiratory distress syndrome, 1 of neurologic complication, 1 of pulmonary infection and 1 of myocardial failure. Among the survival patients, 3 are without symptoms and 1 complains of discrete exertional dyspnea (NYHA class II). This study demonstrates that: 1) the mortality rate was higher in patients with previous cardiac arrest; 2) the time between diagnosis and surgery was a predictive factor; 3) the high mortality rate reflects the gravity of the situation; 4) the long term results in surviving patients have been favorable.
pulmonary embolism