Successful Unilateral Pulmonary Embolectomy without Cardiopulmonary Bypass

Abstract

RECENT reports of successful pulmonary-artery embolectomy using cardiopulmonary bypass have renewed enthusiasm for the salvage of these patients by the direct surgical approach.1 , 2 The following case report illustrates an approach to pulmonary-artery embolectomy in which cardiopulmonary bypass was not necessary and also demonstrates the contribution of venous angiography to the diagnosis and subsequent treatment of pulmonary embolism.Case ReportW.C. (V.A.H. 03336), a 43-year-old colored diabetic man, was admitted to the hospital on January 20, 1964, because of a 3d-degree grease burn of the left foot. On February 14 split-thickness grafts from the right thigh were applied. On the 3d . . .