If a central artery is occluded, embolectomy with the aid of extracorporeal circulation is an excellent way of restoring the pulmonary artery bed rapidly and permanently. The results of 46 operations for acute and of 2 procedures for chronic obstruction are analyzed. Proper diagnosis by pulmonary angiography including pressure recording, experience with extracorporeal circulation and a short interval between onset of embolism and reopening of the pulmonary vascular bed are necessary to obtain satisfactory results.
Pulmonary embolism - Embolectomy with ECC - Operative indication - Results of surgery
