What is Pulmonary Embolism Surgery Indications ?

Indications for Surgery :  Acute pulmonary embolism with haemodynamic instability and hypoxaemia is nearly always fatal. Mortality is reported to be 50 per cent, if 50 per cent of pulmonay vasculature is obstructed. In pulmonary bifurcation block this approaches 100 per cent. In patients who cannot have thrombolytic treatment, surgical embolectomy is indicated. Diagnosis is made by ECG, echocardiography (trans thoracic or trans oesophageal), CT scan with contrast medium and MRI.

Even though pulmonary angiography is the best diagnostic tool, it can seldom be performed in a haemodynamically unstable patient.