Thrombolytic Therapy Complemented by ECMO: Successful Treatment for A Case of Massive Pulmonary Thromboembolism with Hemodynamic Collapse

• DOI: 10.3346/jkms.2014.29.5.735
• Publication Date: 2014-04-29T07:35:55Z
• Authors: Min Ku Chon; Yong Hyun Park; Jin Hee Choi; Sang Hyun Lee; Jeong Su Kim; Jun Kim; June Hong Kim; Kook Jin Chun
• Keywords: Venous Thrombosis; Heparin; Myocardium; Case Report; Heart; Middle Aged; Pulmonary Artery; 3. Good health; 03 medical and health sciences; Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation; 0302 clinical medicine; Tissue Plasminogen Activator; Humans; Female; Thrombolytic Therapy; Warfarin; Pulmonary Embolism

Pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE) is a common clinical condition related to significant mortality. Furthermore, patients with PTE presenting with right heart thrombus show higher mortality due to rapid hemodynamic deterioration. But the optimal treatment of massive PTE is controversial although various methods have been developed and improved. Here, we presented a case of 56-yr-old woman with massive PTE showing hemodynamic collapse, who was successfully treated with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) adjunct to thrombolytic therapy even without thrombectomy. ECMO was useful for resuscitation and stabilization of the cardiopulmonary function. In conclusion, thrombolytic therapy complemented by ECMO may be an effective treatment option for acute massive PTE with hemodynamic instability.