Type of research: Single-center retrospective cohort study.Key findings: Intermediate-risk pulmonary embolism treated with ultrasound-assisted catheterdirected thrombolysis or mechanical thrombectomy showed similar short-term outcomes, including survival, hospital stay, and intensive care unit stay.Both treatments produced comparable improvement in right-heart function as determined by postoperative echocardiography.Preoperative computed tomography angiography overestimated right ventricle-to-left ventricle ratios compared to preoperative echocardiography.Take home message: Ultrasound-assisted catheter-directed thrombolysis and mechanical thrombectomy are excellent surgical options with comparable short-term success rates for intermediate-risk pulmonary embolism. Table of contents summary:Ultrasound-assisted catheter-directed thrombolysis and mechanical thrombectomy produced similar short-term outcomes in a single-center retrospective cohort study of 120 patients who underwent intervention for intermediate-risk pulmonary embolism.
Horton et al. (Sun,) studied this question.