[Massive pulmonary embolism. When medical treatment is not enough]

Abstract

Emergency bedside veno-arterious ECMO implantation can be the only saving gesture in the suspicion of acute massive pulmonary embolism leading to haemodynamic failure, even before CT-scan imaging. Once the massive pulmonary embolism is confirmed it is possible to undergo surgical or percutaneous pulmonary thrombectomy, when thrombolytic therapy is contraindicated.

Keywords: ECMO; Embolie pulmonaire massive; Fibrinolyse; Grossesse; Massive pulmonary embolism; Percutaneous catheter pulmonary embolectomy; Pregnancy; Surgical pulmonary embolectomy; Thrombectomie chirurgicale; Thrombectomie percutanée; Thrombolytic therapy.