Thrombosis research
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Thrombosis research · Apr 2012
Extracorporeal cardiopulmonary support may be an efficient rescue of patients after massive pulmonary embolism. An experimental porcine study.
Treatment of massive pulmonary embolism leading to cardiac arrest is controversial but restitution of circulation within a shorter time is crucial. Cardiopulmonary support and therapeutic hypothermia is an option for cardiac arrest and could be used to treat massive PE. However, hypothermia may influence the effect of the ongoing intrinsic fibrinolysis. ⋯ Cardiopulmonary support could rescue pigs with massive pulmonary embolism. Hypothermia did not reduce the emboli but may for other reasons be beneficial. The optimal additional treatment is still unknown but treatment modalities can be tested in this model.