Pulmonary Embolism
Surgery
Surgical removal of a clot is called an embolectomy. This type of treatment for pulmonary embolism is rarely used. It is considered for people who can't have other kinds of treatment or those whose clot is so dangerous that they can't wait for medicine to work. An embolectomy also may be an option for a person whose condition is stable but who shows signs of significant reduced blood flow in the pulmonary artery.
What to think about
Surgery increases the risk of forming new blood clots that can cause another pulmonary embolism.
| By: | Reference Healthwise Staff | Last Revised: Reference May 8, 2012 |
| Medical Review: | Reference E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine
Reference Jeffrey S. Ginsberg, MD - Hematology |
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