Key result
Pulmonary thrombectomy and catheter-directed thrombolysis successfully treat occlusive PE in a pregnant Fontan patient.
Why the study?
Patients with Fontan circulation are at increased risk for thrombosis, particularly during pregnancy.
Case Report (n=1)
Pulmonary thrombectomy and catheter-directed thrombolysis can be successfully and safely performed for acute pulmonary embolism in pregnant patients with Fontan palliation.
May support catheter-directed PE therapy in pregnant Fontan patients; leaves open need for prospective data before wider use.
BACKGROUND: Patients with Fontan circulation are at increased risk for thrombosis, particularly during pregnancy. CASE SUMMARY: A 26-year-old woman at 10 weeks gestation with a lateral tunnel Fontan experienced acute onset of dyspnea and dizziness. Cardiac CT demonstrated an occlusive pulmonary embolism within the Fontan circulation. The patient underwent pulmonary thrombectomy and catheter-directed thrombolysis without complications. A surveillance cardiac CT 3 months after her discharge demonstrated complete resolution of the thrombus, and the patient is at baseline functional capacity. DISCUSSION: Patients with Fontan circulation and pregnancy have a heightened risk for both thromboembolism and bleeding; anticoagulation strategies are thus not standardized and are tailored to each individual's case. TAKE-HOME MESSAGES: To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of pulmonary embolism during the antepartum period in a patient with Fontan palliation who was subsequently treated with pulmonary thrombectomy and catheter-directed thrombolysis. Multimodality imaging evaluation was critical for rapid diagnosis and interventional planning.
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Tedla et al. (2025) conducted a case report in Pulmonary embolism in pregnant woman with Fontan palliation (n=1). Pulmonary thrombectomy and catheter-directed thrombolysis was evaluated on Resolution of thrombus and functional capacity. Pulmonary thrombectomy and catheter-directed thrombolysis successfully treated an occlusive pulmonary embolism in a pregnant woman with Fontan palliation, with complete resolution at 3 months.
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