Thrombolysis for postoperative Submassive pulmonary Embolism

• Main Author: Biji Soman
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications 2016-01-01
• Series: Heart India
• Subjects: Catheter-directed thrombolysis; postoperative; complication; submassive pulmonary embolism (PE)
• Online Access: http://www.heartindia.net/article.asp?issn=2321-449x;year=2016;volume=4;issue=2;spage=67;epage=69;aulast=Soman

Pulmonary embolism (PE) is the most preventable cause of inhospital death. Although safe and effective, thrombolytic therapy is relatively contraindicated within 10 days of major surgery due to the risk of bleeding. Our patient developed submassive PE, within 48 h of surgery and had catheter-directed thrombolysis with Streptokinase (STK) injection successfully, without any bleeding complications. This case demonstrates that thrombolysis may be safely and effectively done in postoperative patients. In such scenarios, where the therapy is relatively contraindicated, the decision whether to thrombolyse or not, must be multidisciplinary, giving utmost importance to the patient′s best interest and to ensure that no single individual is denied potentially life-saving therapy.